Brandon Graham managed to rehab in time to play in last night’s Super Bowl. The Eagles stalwart may have played his final game in Recent Orleans on Sunday, but a final decision has yet to be made on the retirement front.
Graham said in July he would hang up his cleats after the 2024 campaign was over. This past season represented his fifteenth with the organization, something which is without precedent in Eagles history. Consequently, it appeared the 36-year-old’s NFL tenure was over when he suffered a triceps tear in November. Graham didn’t confirm his retirement plans at that time, and that remained the case this past weekend.
The previous first-rounder is anticipated to take roughly one week to contemplate his future, as noted by NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo (video link). A retirement decision would come as no surprise within the wake of his second profession Super Bowl victory, however it would mark one other major loss for the Eagles when it comes to experience. Two of the franchise’s ‘Core 4’ players (Jason Kelce and Fletcher Cox) retired last offseason, leaving Graham and Lane Johnson within the fold.
There may be now a powerful likelihood Philadelphia’s right tackle starter can be the ultimate remaining member of the team’s decorated quartet. If Graham – who signed a two-year pact in 2021 and inked one-year deals for 2023 and ’24 – does indeed call it a profession, the Eagles may have a notable void along the sting. With over $98MM in profession earnings and now a pair of titles, though, he definitely has cause to show down the prospect of playing in 2025 to start his post-playing days.
One other pending Eagles free agent is true guard Mekhi Becton. The previous Jets first-rounder struggled with injuries during his Recent York tenure, and his first trip to the open market resulted in just a $2.75MM pact on a one-year Eagles commitment. The choice to maneuver Becton inside to protect (after seeing time at each tackle spots) proved to be effective, as he handled starting duties all season and thrived in that role.
Consequently, the 25-year-old is heading in the right direction to have a much stronger free agent market this time around. Garafolo notes Becton appears to be open to a brand new Eagles contract, although a raise will obviously be needed for that to be feasible. Because the team begins its offseason preparation within the wake of its Super Bowl LIX victory, Graham and Becton can be among the many players value monitoring over the approaching days and weeks.
