Sportsnaut
A new report reveals a Philadelphia Eagles great is nearing an unexpected return from retirement to take the field in Week 8. However, it is not offensive legend Jason Kelce.
The Eagles head into their Week 7 clash against the Minnesota Vikings in the midst of a worrisome slump. Even when they opened the season with four straight wins, they weren’t as sharp as expected. Now, after back-to-back losses, including one to a 1-4 New York Giants team last week, concerns are growing in Philly.
Making matters worse is pass rusher Za’Darius Smith stunned the organization on Monday morning when he walked into the front office and told the team’s management he had decided to retire from the sport. Putting them in a lurch with a sizable hole on the defensive line. Well, that could shockingly be filled with an unexpected player soon.
With Za'Darius Smith retiring, former Eagles defensive end Brandon Graham is now strongly considering coming out of retirement to sign with Philadelphia, league sources told ESPN.
Graham played 15 seasons in Philadelphia and became the longest-tenured Eagle in franchise history.… pic.twitter.com/pr2ZiFcWFa
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 19, 2025
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Eagles great Brandon Graham is “now strongly considering coming out of retirement” to ink a new deal with Philadelphia this weekend. Graham won a pair of championships with the Eagles and is the longest-tenured player in franchise history after playing his 15th straight season with the team in 2024.
Last summer, he revealed that last season would be his final year in the league after the 13th pick overall in the 2010 NFL Draft. While he only reached the Pro Bowl once during his career in the league (2020), he was durable and remained a rock-solid pass rush threat throughout his tenure with the Eagles. Furthermore, he was a key locker room leader, serving as one of the team captains in six seasons, including in 2024.
While many Eagles fans would probably love fellow team great Travis Kelce to return and help deal with some of the issues the team has had on offense this season, especially the lack of a dominant run game, Graham is the perfect player to help fill an immediate need, and likely for an affordable rate the rest of the season.
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