Philadelphia, PA – March 17, 2025
Brandon Graham, the heart and soul of the Philadelphia Eagles’ defense for 15 seasons, officially retired Monday after signing a symbolic one-day contract with the team he called home throughout his NFL career. The move ensures the two-time Super Bowl champion ends his journey as a “one-team man,” cementing his legacy as an Eagles legend.
Graham, 36, announced his retirement on Instagram, reflecting on a career that spanned 195 regular-season games—the most in franchise history. “Philly, you gave me everything,” he wrote. “I bled green for 15 years, and I’m proud to retire an Eagle.” The defensive end, drafted 13th overall in 2010, leaves behind 73 sacks, 146 QB hits, 21 forced fumbles, and two Super Bowl rings—LII in 2018 and LIX in 2025. His strip-sack of Tom Brady in Super Bowl LII remains an iconic moment etched in Eagles lore.
The one-day contract, a tradition for retiring legends, allowed Graham to bow out on his terms after his 2024 deal expired. “Brandon embodies what it means to be an Eagle,” GM Howie Roseman said at a press conference. “He’s a leader, a champion, and a lifelong member of this family.” Graham, who battled a triceps tear to play in Super Bowl LIX, leaves as a fan favorite, with 12 sacks in his final season.
Fans on X flooded with tributes: “Graham’s a legend—strip-sack forever!” one wrote. Another posted, “One-team man, two rings—Philly loves you!” As Graham steps away, his legacy as a cornerstone of two championship eras endures, a testament to loyalty and grit in the City of Brotherly Love.