Following reports this past weekend that Eagles legend Brandon Graham was debating exiting retirement to help an ailing pass rush in Philadelphia, the 36-year-old has now officially signed a deal with the team, it was announced on Tuesday.
The Eagles' pass-rush has been losing depth for a while now. Nolan Smith was placed on IR with a triceps injury, and then the team surprisingly lost Za'Darius Smith as he announced his retirement. Jalyx Hunt and Azeez Ojulari have been manning the trenches with mixed success, but as far as a rotation goes, there's very little.
Rumors had linked the Birds with the likes of Trey Hendrickson, but it was a familiar face who came to the rescue in Brandon Graham.
After a 15-year career with the Eagles, Graham has earned his place in the Philadelphia history books. A two-time Super Bowl champion, BG racked up 76.5 sacks over his career, all of which was spent with the Eagles, where his leadership on and off the field earned him a special place in the hearts of Philadelphians everywhere. He became a cornerstone of the franchise for years, and while going out as a Super Bowl champ was probably the ideal way to go out, his love for the Eagles far transcends anything related to individual stats or perception.
It has been clear for a while that Graham is still connected to the city. He still has a locker at the NovaCare Complex and has remained close to his former team. BG won't be depended on as a three-down EDGE, but someone to lift the strain from Ojulari and Hunt, even for a few snaps per game. The deal is more than likely very team-friendly, and we all know that even in his final years, he's had a knack for making splash plays and turning games on their heads.
