Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio doesnât know what to expect from the recently unretired Brandon Graham.
What kind of shape is he in? How will he be used? Those questions and more are still to be answered as Graham ramps back up after a brief time away from football.
âWeâll see,â Fangio said Tuesday. âWeâll see what kind of shape heâs in, what kind of retention he has from last year. Shape comes in two forms: one, just your conditioning, but in football shape to contact shape. So hopefully, the sooner the better.â
The Eagles announced earlier in the day that Graham, the longest-tenured player in franchise history, had agreed to a one-year deal to come out of retirement and play a 16th season with Philadelphia.
Why is Brandon Graham Coming Out of Retirement?
Graham returned from torn triceps muscle to play in Super Bowl LIX and helped the Eagles beat the Chiefs 40-22. It was supposed to be the final game of Grahamâs career, but the 37-year-old recently had a change of heart and will return in hopes of providing a spark for Philadelphiaâs struggling pass rush.
The defending champs came into the season with questions about edge rusher following the departures of Graham and Josh Sweat. Those were amplified when Nolan Smith Jr. landed on injured reserve last month with a triceps strain.
Hoping to address their need, the defending champs signed veteran defensive end ZaâDarius Smith. But he played only five games with the team before retiring from the NFL earlier this month.
The Eagles lead the NFC East at 5-2 but rank 23rd in total defense (349.1 yards allowed per game) and are tied for the fourth-fewest sacks in the NFL (11).
Why is Brandon Graham’s Return Significant?
Graham is one of the most accomplished players in Eagles history. The 13th overall pick of the 2010 draft holds the franchise record for most regular-season games played (206) and is third in team history with 76.5 sacks. He was second-team All-Pro in 2016 and made his lone Pro Bowl in 2020.
His strip sack of Tom Brady in the fourth quarter of Super Bowl LII helped the Eagles outlast the Patriots 41-33 for their first Super Bowl victory.
Graham initially retired in March, choosing to âgo out on topâ with the Lombardi Trophy in hand. But ever since, Fangio has been joking with him about coming back to play.
âAll the way from the start I was teasing him not to retire. All the way back from last February to March,â Fangio said. âIâve run into him; weâve talked when heâs come by. I always tease him about it, try and light the fire.â
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