After winning Super Bowl LIX, the Philadelphia Eagles’ Brandon Graham was sure it was time to end his 15-year NFL tenure. Seven months in, he was re-signing with the team for their repeat campaign. Certainly, after his contract was over this season, the questions about his retirement loomed. Turns out, he already has an answer in his mind this time.

“If Howie [Roseman] makes that call, I’m coming back, one more,” the DE made his stance clear on his Brandon Graham Unblocked podcast this Sunday during a live Super Bowl reaction party.

The message was direct and left little room for doubt about his willingness to return to the team he has shown immense loyalty to. Before retiring last offseason, Graham was the longest-tenured player in the Eagles franchise. He was also the only player who had won Philly’s only two Lombardi trophies while appearing in three Super Bowl games. His intent, leadership, and investment in the community are already remarkable.

Graham is already a legend in Philadelphia. But if he returns, he can rewrite their history books as well.

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The 37-year-old is currently third in the Eagles’ all-time sacks list with 79.5 sacks. While he may not be able to crack Reggie White’s leading record of 124 sacks, he can leave Trent Cole behind in another year.

However, it is important to note that he hasn’t had more than three sacks in a season in the last three years. He also only played nine games this season. Meaning, if he wants to close the gap, he will need at least six sacks to tie for the second rank or seven to leave Cole behind. But let’s not forget what he said when he was retiring the first time around:

“That’s what you want — to step up and make that big play at that moment.”

Sure, he said that when he strip-sacked Tom Brady in Super Bowl LII. But the theory applies to why he wishes to return.

When he unretired last season, he had to learn new techniques. Still, he had fresh legs after resting on the proverbial ‘couch’ for seven months, and his impact was unarguably huge. Moreover, if Roseman’s call is all Graham requires to return, it shouldn’t be that difficult.

Graham signed a small 1 year, $2.4 million contract with the Eagles for last season. If he returns, he wouldn’t be putting much load on the team’s cap space. Knowing Roseman’s mastery and Graham’s ability to still prove his worth, another deal wouldn’t be a bad idea.

Considering his readiness to play for the Eagles on one call and the fact that the team will certainly require depth on their defense in 2026, it is very likely that Graham will return to the squad once again.

Brandon Graham bleeds green

In February last season, Graham dropped the bomb when he sent a farewell message to the Birds, saying he had given his all to the game and the team. But in October 2025, the Eagles brought him back during the season when injuries hit the defensive line hard to add depth at the edge position.

Before that move, Philadelphia had signed Za’Darius Smith to support a young pass-rush group, but Smith’s recent retirement has once again put Graham’s future with the team in focus.

When Graham did return, he showed he could still help in a limited role. During the 2025 regular season, he finished with four solo tackles and three sacks in his reduced snaps. At his peak, Graham was one of the most reliable edge defenders in the league.

Over 215 career games, he has totaled 79.5 sacks and 363 solo tackles. Those numbers alongside his lifelong commitment to the Eagles made him an ideal candidate for the 2025 season.

Graham was a key part of two Super Bowl championship teams, with his strip sack of Tom Brady in Super Bowl LII standing as one of the most important plays in franchise history. Compared to his prime, Graham’s current role was smaller, but his career numbers show the level of impact he delivered when he was at full strength.

Now 37, Graham surely knows his role would be smaller still if he returns for 2026. That being said, his leadership and experience could help a team with championship goals. Graham’s return next season depends on what the Eagles need. Coincidentally, GM Howie Roseman just addressed the team’s roster-building philosophy.

Howie Roseman sends a clear message on Eagles’ roster plans

There’s no doubt that the team’s late-season collapse has left them with enough questions on their plate. On paper, their defense ranks better than their offense, coming in at eighth rank, according to PFF. However, this season, there will be some gaping holes they will be looking at.

They will have nine players entering the free agency this season, including Graham. On the defensive side, five current roster players are expected to return. But that still leaves more work to be done.

As Graham hints at a possible return, Eagles GM Howie Roseman also shared his vision for the team. During a media conference in mid-January, Roseman addressed concerns about roster building and player retention heading into the offseason.

“I just don’t want it to get confused that we can’t do whatever it takes to build a championship-caliber team next year and also continue to have really good players on this team for the future,” he said.

The Eagles have a projected cap space of $15.4 million and have eight draft picks in the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft. But while they have enough options to bring in future players of the franchise, keeping veteran leaders like Graham would only make sense.

Whether he returns, his legacy in Philadelphia is secure and respected by teammates and fans alike. But as far as Graham is concerned, he had already said what it would be like even if he retired:

“I ain’t going anywhere! I’m still gonna be around, so get used to it!”