The longest-tenured Philadelphia Eagle, Brandon Graham, is out for the rest of the 2024 season after tearing his triceps. This comes after having one of his best outings as the Eagles beat the Rams 37-20.
If you’re a Philadelphia Eagles fan, you are feeling a mixed set of emotions on this victory Monday. The birds went to Hollywood and made it Phillywood after showing up BIG against the Rams. After a slow start in the first, the Birds took the lead by the half 13-7. They then came back and tacked on an additional 24 points and only allowing another 13 on the board. The Eagles were firing on all cylinders, from offense to defense and to special teams. This is the team we’ve been waiting for since 2022. Brandon Graham played a pivotal role in last night’s win, and it very well may have been his last on-the-field role we’ll see him in.
Brandon Graham Goes Out with a Bang
Before leaving the game Sunday night, Graham was having one of the best games of his career. Two tackles, a sack, two tackles for a loss, three QB hits, and a pass breakup! All he forgot was the partridge in a pear tree. According to Pro Football Reference, in the 11 games he played this year, he had 3.5 sacks, 15 tackles, and 1 forced fumble. His franchise-record 15th season was gearing up to be something special, especially as the team is making a name for itself as a Super Bowl contender. And this is where those mixed emotions come in–Brandon Graham is one of four players who were part of the 2017 team that one the first Super Bowl in Eagles history.
As I sit at my desk and look up, one of the first things I see is the above card. I can gush about Jordan Spector and his art all day, but today I’m going to focus on the inspirtaion for his second Immortals trading card. We often talk about Nick Foles, Doug Pederson, and the Philly Special when we talk about Super Bowl 52 and the Philadelphia Eagles first ever Lombardi. And it’s not that Brandon Graham doesn’t get talked about, but it’s that we now look at the possibility of a deep playoff run and possible Super Bowl appearance with a key member of not only our defense, but the Super Bowl 52 Championship Team. I’m not worried about the talent lacking–I am still waiting to see how the Birds play against the Ravens to have an official stance on our post season hope–but it’s sad to see one of the most instrumental players from the 2017 team, of the four left, being forced to sit out; not on his terms.
If I had to go out like this, I gave everything I got.
Brandon Graham to NBC Philly’s Ashley Sullivan
Brandon Graham, a Philly Great
He may not have a statue, and that could change one day, but Brandon Graham is no doubt a Philly great. I know we talk about Jason Kelce–a lot–because he seems to simply embody the city of Philadelphia with his personality, but Graham has been part of our lives for a long, long time. Longer than Kelce. Longer than some relationships. He just missed the Jim Johnson era of Eagles defense, but I’m glad he got a taste of Vic Fangio’s defense, which has the makings of that beloved defense from all those years ago. In a world where Graham was still playing at such a high level, it’s a wonder what he may have done next season, but it appears Brandon Graham’s days as a player with the Philadelphia Eagles (and the NFL) are done. If this truly is it, he will be missed on the field and will forever be an Eagle.
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