Philadelphia Eagles legend Brandon Graham, who announced his retirement in March after 15 seasons, stirred speculation about his future during a candid interview with Kay Adams on “Up and Adams.”
While widely celebrated for his decorated career and presumed retirement, Graham stopped short of fully confirming he’s done with football — leaving fans and analysts wondering if the defensive end might return for one last hurrah.
Brandon Graham Not Fully Retired?
The 37-year-old Graham officially announced his retirement on March 18, just weeks after helping the Eagles secure their second Super Bowl victory in franchise history. Drafted 13th overall in 2010 out of Michigan, Graham became a cornerstone of the Eagles’ defense, earning second-team All-Pro honors in 2016 and a Pro Bowl selection in 2020.
In early March, before free agency opened, Graham appeared on 94 WIP Sports Radio in Philadelphia and revealed his post-retirement plans, saying, “I think that’s definitely going to be the route I take when I’m done. That’s breaking news, because I ain’t never told anybody that. I like the media route, I really do.”
"I think that's definitely going to be the route I take when I'm done. That's breaking news, because I ain't never told anybody that. I like the media route, I really do."
— Brandon Graham says he is doing media bootcamp in April and plans to pursue media after retirement pic.twitter.com/el51cCyGMQ
— SPORTSRADIO 94WIP (@SportsRadioWIP) March 7, 2024
Despite that announcement — and detailing his plans to pursue a media career — Graham’s appearance on “Up and Adams” sparked a flicker of hope for Eagles fans not ready to move on from the Pro Bowler.
When asked directly by Adams, “How retired are you?” Graham responded with a smile, saying, “I’m 90% retired.” A delighted Adams pressed him to explain, asking, “What’s the 10?”
Graham opened up, saying, “I want to make sure I’m staying fit. I want to make sure when I do retire, I stay in the habit. If I want to be on TV and talk and have my suits on, I gotta look good and stay healthy for my kids. That 10% is just in case.”
Adams then planted the seed of a return, suggesting a scenario where a playoff contender in need of pass rush help could call him midseason — and the veteran admitted, “If it happens, we can say you said it first.”
His reluctance to fully commit to retirement has left fans buzzing about a possible comeback.
2x Super Bowl Champ Brandon Graham says he's 90% retired 👀@heykayadams | @brandongraham55 | @Eagles pic.twitter.com/0DYIfsGjHD
— Up & Adams (@UpAndAdamsShow) April 9, 2025
While Graham expressed gratitude for his career and reflected on his journey, he noticeably avoided definitive language about hanging up his cleats for good. That ambiguity stands in contrast to Graham’s emotional farewell press conference in March, where he said, “I gave it everything I have.” At that time, he seemed resolute about stepping away after overcoming injuries to play in Super Bowl LIX.
What Graham’s Soundbite Says About NFL Players Grappling With Retirement
Graham’s indecision is a common theme among NFL veterans grappling with retirement. The physical toll of the game often clashes with players’ enduring love for football, leading many to reconsider stepping away. If Graham does return, he’d join other high-profile names like Tom Brady, Marshawn Lynch, Brett Favre, Randy Moss, Deion Sanders, Reggie White and Ricky Williams — all of whom reversed retirement decisions.
Graham’s legacy as one of Philadelphia’s most beloved athletes is now 90% cemented. While the odds of him suiting up again for the Eagles seem slim, could an AFC team take a flyer on him for a playoff run? And what if Graham ended up facing the Eagles in a Super Bowl?
For now, he seems content enjoying life outside the game — but as history has shown with other NFL greats, the lure of competition can be hard to resist.