Sources: Brandon Graham is considering not retiring to join Eagles

Following the retirement of defensive end Za’Darius Smith, former Eagle Brandon Graham is 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 Eagles player in franchise history. The two-time Super Bowl champion could now be poised to build on those marks if he and the Eagles can finalize the contract this week, according to sources.

Graham, 37, returned from a torn triceps tendon to play in the Super Bowl last season and help the Eagles win their second championship in what was thought to be the final game of his NFL career.

The defensive end retired last season but missed the game and considered not retiring, according to sources.

Smith, who signed a one-year contract with the Eagles following their Week 1 win over the Dallas Cowboys, informed the team of his decision to retire Monday morning, marking the surprising departure of a productive player at a position Philadelphia needs.

The Eagles entered the season with question marks on their edge rusher following the departures of Graham and Josh Sweat. The situation took another hit when Nolan Smith Jr. was placed on injured reserve last month with a triceps injury. Ogbo Okoronkwo was also placed on IR with a triceps injury following the Philadelphia game in Week 4.

Graham holds the Eagles’ record for most regular season games played (206) and ranks third in franchise history with 76.5 career sacks. He made his only Pro Bowl in 2020 and recorded his first double-digit sack campaign in 2022, posting 11 takedowns.

Graham’s sack of Tom Brady in the final moments of Super Bowl LII helped seal a narrow victory over the New England Patriots and deliver the first Lombardi Trophy to Philadelphia.

ESPN’s Tim McManus contributed to this report.