Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

Brandon Graham's back, but Eagles are desperate for EDGE upgrade like Maxx Crosby

By Jack Dougherty | Last updated Oct 21, 2025 1:09 PM ET

Philadelphia Eagles legend Brandon Graham, who retired from the NFL after the 2024 season, announced Tuesday that he'll be returning to the team this week. The 37-year-old will provide a major boost on the field and in the locker room, but he shouldn't be the only EDGE the Eagles add to their roster this season.

Aggressive Eagles GM Howie Roseman should target some big fish at edge-rusher, such as Trey Hendrickson of the Cincinnati Bengals, Jaelan Phillips of the Miami Dolphins or Maxx Crosby of the Las Vegas Raiders.

Brandon Graham's return should come with tempered expectations

Eagles fans are understandably excited about Graham's return, but it's important to be realistic. This is an older player who has only 7.5 sacks and 13 tackles for loss in his past 30 games with the Eagles. Graham also underwent two triceps surgeries last season and didn't participate in a training camp this year. His contribution will likely be more as a leader and positive locker-room presence than a game-changing EDGE.

The Eagles rank 29th in the NFL in sack rate (4.3 percent) and 28th in sacks (11) through seven games, but the EDGE room has been even worse than those numbers suggest.

The only Philadelphia defenders with two or more sacks this season are defensive tackles Jordan Davis and Moro Ojomo and linebacker Zack Baun. The edge-rushers have only 2.5 sacks (1.5 from Z'Darius Smith, who retired after Week 6).

Nolan Smith Jr., the Philadelphia pass-rusher with the highest upside, suffered a triceps injury in Week 3 and might not return until Week 10. Philadelphia's edge-rushers might be the worst in the NFL. Bringing in a Graham to play limited snaps won't change that.

The Eagles should take a big swing at EDGE

For the Eagles to win back-to-back Super Bowls, which should be the goal with this loaded roster, they shouldn't be satisfied with just adding Graham to the EDGE room. Roseman still must be aggressive in trying to trade for a star defensive end before the Nov. 4 trade deadline.

The top target would be Cincinnati EDGE Hendrickson, who's slated to become a free agent in 2026. If the Bengals can't get back in the playoff race, they would be wise to shop Hendrickson to a contender before he hits the open market.

The Dolphins are in a similar predicament with EDGE Phillips, who's in the final year of his rookie contract. Roseman should be contacting floundering teams with talented pass-rushers over the next few weeks.

The most aggressive option would be Raiders EDGE Crosby, who signed a three-year extension in March. Crosby is proud of his loyalty to the Raiders, but he might be wavering after 31-0 and 40-6 losses in the past three weeks. At the very least, Roseman must give Las Vegas a call.

Jack Dougherty

Jack Dougherty has been writing professionally since 2015, contributing to publications such as GoPSUSports. com, Centre Daily Times, Associated Press, and Sportscasting. com

More must-reads: