Eagles news: An emotional Brandon Graham announces his retirement; Birds land pass-rush help, lock down Lane Johnson

There was a time, a long time, when Brandon Graham was known for who he wasn’t.

He was not Earl Thomas, the All-Pro safety who went one pick after him in the 2010 draft.

He was not Dez Bryant or Eric Decker, the two wide receivers who were selected with the picks the Eagles traded in order to move up and select Graham at No. 13.

Brandon Graham is the “embodiment of everything you want in a Philadelphia Eagle,” team owner Jeffrey Lurie said in a lengthy statement celebrating his retirement after 15 seasons. 

Lurie described Graham as “a special player and a special person” and said the positive energy he brought to the team was “infectious.” But Lurie spent the bulk of his statement celebrating Graham the person, praising his “exemplary leadership, integrity, and class.”

“Along with his trademark smile and warm demeanor, he treats everyone with respect and had been incredibly giving of himself and others, which is among the many reasons why he was a two-time Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award nominee,” Lurie said. “Of all the things that made him special though, it is Brandon’s character and gracious nature that have always stood out to me the most.”

Brandon Graham confirmed a report by Derrick Gunn he re-tore his triceps during the Eagles’ Super Bowl win.

Graham was expected to miss the rest of the season when he went down with the injury in the Eagles’ November road win vs. the Los Angeles Rams.

He rushed back to play in the Super Bowl and played sparingly, but re-tore his triceps.

There was a point early in the season, when Brandon Graham was playing better than he thought he would during his farewell tour, that coming back for 2025 was a possibility.

But Graham made an improbable return to the Super Bowl, and that, he said, was enough for him.

“If I didn’t make it back to the Super Bowl I probably wouldn’t be up here right now,” Graham said. “I’d be begging for one more.

Brandon Graham was once labeled a first-round bust.

“You made me work for this,” he said Tuesday. “And I appreciate you for that. You never let me get comfortable. You held me accountable. You kept that chip on my shoulder.

“When they put that bust label on me I didn’t want to go outside.”

Brandon Graham has made a decision whether he will retire from the Eagles or return for a 16th season. 

Graham, the team’s all-time leader in games played (206), will reveal his decision at noon Tuesday, the Eagles announced.

Graham, 36, has recorded 76.5 sacks in his career with the Eagles, third most in franchise history behind Hall of Famer Reggie White (124) and Trent Cole (85.5). None were more important than Graham's strip sack of Tom Brady in Super Bowl LII, helping the Eagles secure their first Lombardi Trophy.

The Eagles have ensured that their franchise right tackle has the opportunity to be a part of their future for the next few years.

Lane Johnson agreed to terms on a one-year extension through 2027, the Eagles announced on Monday evening. Johnson, who turns 35 in May, will be going into his 15th season in Philadelphia when the new deal begins.

According to Johnson’s agent, Ken Sarnoff, the team also agreed to restructure the remaining two years of his existing contract, adding $8 million over that span. He is also slated to earn $30 million in guaranteed money. Over the next two seasons, Johnson will earn $48 million, including $40 million guaranteed.