The Philadelphia Eagles defensive line is going to look a lot different next season. According to NFL Network's Mike Garafalo, Eagles legend and stalwart Brandon Graham is retiring after 15 seasons.
#Eagles DE Brandon Graham, a two-time Super Bowl champion, six-time captain, Pro Bowl selection and All-Pro, is announcing his retirement after 15 seasons.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) March 18, 2025
The 13th overall pick in 2010 became an all-time franchise great: “I don’t have no regrets.” pic.twitter.com/ik7jZCHk3i
The Eagles nabbed Graham 13th overall way back in the 2010 NFL Draft, and he spent his entire career with the team, totalling 76.5 sacks, two Super Bowl championships, and even a Pro Bowl appearance in 2020. Though not quite a Pro Football Hall of Famer, his mark on the franchise is significant enough that he could eventually be enshrined in the Eagles' Hall of Fame or even have his number retired.
Graham had taken on a reduced role for the Eagles in recent years. He has started four of his 47 appearances since 2021, and he only played 311 defensive snaps in 2024. Still, his leadership will be missed, and his departure is yet another variable the Eagles will have to address ahead of the 2025 regular season.
Graham is the third significant defensive lineman to leave the Eagles this offseason. Defensive tackle Milton Williams joined the New England Patriots on an eye-popping four-year, $104 million deal, and edge rusher Josh Sweat signed with the Arizona Cardinals on a four-year, $76.4 million contract. The trio accounted for 16.5 of the Eagles' 41.0 regular season sacks in 2024.
The Eagles' pass rush was arguably their biggest strength in last year's Super Bowl run. In four postseason games, they accounted for an excellent 16.0 sacks, and that ferocious pressure helped create eight forced fumbles and 13 takeaways. If the Eagles are going to maintain that level of havoc, they may need to do something drastic to make up for all the new holes in their roster.
The Eagles have been linked to premier pass rushers like Cleveland Browns superstar Myles Garrett and Cincinnati Bengals All-Pro Trey Hendrickson in recent months. They may push a little bit harder for defensive line help in the weeks to come, either via trade or the 2025 NFL Draft.
Photo Credit: © Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
