The core four’s stamp on the Philadelphia Eagles’ DNA was officially modified with the retirement of All-Pro center Jason Kelce earlier this week, and veteran defensive tackle Fletcher Cox may not be far behind.
That would leave two and the only sure thing when it comes to a return is Lane Johnson, the All-Pro right tackle who is under contract and still playing at a high level with the batteries charged for a few more seasons.
The final member of this super group is defensive end Brandon Graham, the Eagles' all-time leader in games played.
Graham, who will turn 36 later that month, did the media rounds this week appearing on a host of outlets to again highlight that when it comes to Howie Roseman’s to-do list, No. 55 might be the GM’s easiest task.
“I’m glad to still be part of the plan . . . now it is about making it make sense for both parties,” Graham said on the Eagles’ flagship radio station 94WIP.
Graham always wears his heart on his sleeve as the thermometer of the Philadelphia locker room. For years now, B.G. has made it abundantly clear about his last goal when it comes to a superlative career: play 15 years with the same team that drafted with the No. 13 overall pick in 2010.
The 2024 season is the magic number for Graham and will serve as his farewell tour after the team announced that the two sides have agreed on a one-year contract extension.
The Eagles franchise has been around since 1933 and no player has ever reached 15 seasons for the team. Graham matched Hall of Famer Chuck Bednarik last season with the franchise record of 14 seasons with the Eagles.
Graham, meanwhile, is already the franchise’s leader in all-time games played with 195 and the guy right behind him is Kelce, who put the period on his resume at 193. Cox is tied for third with former placekicker David Akers at 188.
It was easy to predict that Graham would be back because he has made things even easier for the Eagles to make that happen.
On the field, Graham remains a valuable rotational player on the defensive line with the versatility to kick inside as needed. Off of it, the veteran understands the reality of the NFL and has seamlessly accepted a reduced role after being a headliner on defense for a decade, along with the team-friendly salary that encompasses.
Conversely, Cox seems prepared to leave meat on the bone of his career because of the hesitancy to accept a similar reduced role and salary after watching the Eagles draft Milton Williams, Jordan Davis, and Jalen Carter at defensive tackle over the past three years while also not wanting to move on from the only franchise he’s ever known.
Graham is a unicorn, an affable soul with outstanding leadership skills, unrelenting energy, and the ability to be a role model to every single player who passes through the NovaCare Complex.
What’s to haggle about, especially when the organization is trying to figure out what to do with big-ticket items Hasson Reddick and Josh Sweat, who slumped last season, on the edge?
The answer for Rosman was to cut the cost-effective check and run it back one last time with Graham.
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