Brandon Graham: 'Definitely want to keep playing if it's with Eagles'

Brandon Graham says he wants to keep playing football with the Philadelphia Eagles beyond this year.

"If it's with the Eagles, I definitely want to keep it going," Graham said on Monday night's 94WIP Brandon Graham Show at Chickie's & Pete's in South Philadelphia. "How I'm playing this year, a little bit of is I just want to play and come back to Howie and be like, 'Come on man, let me run it back.'"

Graham, 34, return to the field this season after recovering from a torn Achilles he suffered during Week 2 of 2021. He is currently in the final year of a three-year, $40 million contract with Philadelphia.

The 2010 13th overall pick of the Eagles is having one of his best seasons, despite limited playing, recording 8.5 sacks. On Sunday against the Giants, BG had one of his best games of his career, racking up 3.0 sacks on 18-pass rushing snaps.

 

On Tuesday's 94WIP Morning Show, Graham made it clear he's always wanted to have a double-digit sack season.

"I'm close to it again, come on B, don't even press!" Graham told Angelo Cataldi. "Just keep being who you are, don't worry about it. Just stay focused on just trying to get wins, if I get 10, I get 10. I'm going to keep it going like I've been going, but you know that's on my mind—it's been on my mind, to get double digits one year. And I'm hoping that it's this year, on top of other things that's supposed to happen too."

Graham is also the Eagles' nominee for 2022 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year, which recognizes an NFL player for his excellence on and off the field.

https://www.audacy.com/94wip/sports/eagles/brandon-graham-keep-playing-career-eagles-season-injury-wip

If BG wants to keep playing I think we'd be crazy to not bring him back.  In his new role (not as a full time starter but a rotational piece), he is balling ... he definitely has something left in the tank.  Many of us have talked about finding that vet to serve in the "Chris Long role" since 2017 ... we've made a few unsuccessful attempts (Kerrigan, etc).  Seems Graham is playing that role now (and playing it extremely well).  I would love if he'd consider playing on a year-to-year basis (like Kelce) and be compensated accordingly (i.e. can't expect to be paid as a starter anymore).  If he doesn't come back in 2023 then we have to make sure we send him out with another ring.  

I’ve always liked him while others criticized his lack of sacks numbers early in his career (but lots of pressure).  I never doubted he’d be back from the injury when others said he was done because he is a hard working, high character guy. He seems to be nearly fully healthy and in shape and I’d work out a way to keep him as he is a leader.  He could be a starter for another year and a role player for a year or even two beyond that. 

If they want to bring him back and pay him as a rotational guy then fine. He's in a great position at this stage of his career with such a talented and deep DL. But they have to pay him as a rotational guy. 

If this team goes to the SB then Howie needs to learn from his previous mistakes after the last SB victory. Don't get sentimental, make the right and difficult decisions for the future of the team. 

18 hours ago, UK_EaglesFan89 said:

If they want to bring him back and pay him as a rotational guy then fine. He's in a great position at this stage of his career with such a talented and deep DL. But they have to pay him as a rotational guy. 

If this team goes to the SB then Howie needs to learn from his previous mistakes after the last SB victory. Don't get sentimental, make the right and difficult decisions for the future of the team. 

I agree in general with not getting sentimental but BG is different for me. Unless he’s asking for outrageous, unrealistic money, then I’d keep him around as long as he wants to play. Don’t screw up and let him out the door like they did with Dawk. BG is an Eagle for life. 

They absolutely should bring him back under the right deal. Don't make a mistake as they did with Dawkins. Let the man only wear this uniform and retire an Eagle.

17 hours ago, pallidrone said:

They absolutely should bring him back under the right deal. Don't make a mistake as they did with Dawkins. Let the man only wear this uniform and retire an Eagle.

And let's not forget this team could draft a DE early next year... And with Sweat, Reddick and BG all coming back that would add even more to the rotation and allow BG to stay really fresh.