Hours have gone by since Brandon Graham announced his retirement from the NFL, and we should have already listened to his press conference again for quotes. We can't do it though. One of the greatest Philadelphia Eagles of the modern era just called it a career, and frankly, we're still feeling a little emotional.
Sure, we saw this coming. He said last offseason that this would be his swan song. We knew he would retire when he remained noncommittal immediately after the season ended. We also felt like he'd be back had Philly not won it all in Super Bowl 59.
The truth is this. Sometimes, even though you know something is coming, nothing prepares you for it when it arrives. We know this is it. We saw him tear up and share some final moments with the Philly media, yet here we are.
Despite that knowledge, something in us still expects him to run out on the field for opening night in full pads when the 2025-26 season arrives. What the heck is wrong with us? Then again, maybe nothing is worng. This is B.G. we're discussing. Of course we're going to miss him.
Brandon Graham's best moments in an Eagles jersey
Often, when we reach something's conclusion, we remember all the smaller moments that brought us there. B.G.'s career was like a Rocky movie. He's been doubted, overlooked, counted out, injured, and knocked to the canvas, but just like the Italian Stallion, every time he fell, he got back up again.
There's a huge difference between B.G.'s journey, and a series of cool movies starring one Sylvester Stallone. Graham didn't have the benefit of retakes. No one was around to yell 'cut'. This wasn't a work of fiction. We saw a really cool biography written.
So, since this is it, we'll do our duty. We promise kind words, shows of respect, and more social media posts than you count. For your reading pleasure, we also offer B.G.'s top moments in an Eagles jersey.
Night one of the 2010 NFL Draft in Radio City Music Hall
If you've read this publication a time or two, you know this story well. It's one of our favorites. Philly traded up to the 13th overall selection to draft Graham 13th overall in the 2010 NFL Draft. They ignored safety Earl Thomas by doing so.
Thomas had a great career, and will be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame one day. That probably isn't B.G.'s story though he's a shoo-in for the Eagles Hall of Fame.
Let's make something clear though. B.G., not Thomas, was the perfect fit for this Eagles team. Not only did he play five years longer, he left an indelible mark both on and off the playing field.
An All-Pro season in 2016
What a season this was. During the 2015 offseason, B.G. signed a four-year. $26 million deal with $14 million guaranteed. He responded by notching 51 tackles, 6.5 sacks, and one pass breakup in 16 games with ten starts while learning a new position, outside linebacker in the 3-4 defensive scheme.
One year later, Chip Kelly was out as Eagles head coach, and Doug Pederson was in. B.G. moved back to defensive end and was equally impressive as he notched 59 tackles, 5.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, and a pass breakup. He was named a Second-Team All-Pro for the first and only time during his 15-year career.
Sealing the deal vs. the Rams in 2017
Philly tackled the Los Angeles Rams in Week 14 of the 2017 NFL season. Carson Wenz was lost for the season on that day. Nick Foles was back in the spotlight, and guess what happened?
Trailing by two points in the final seconds, L.A. attempted a comeback, but a series of laterals resulted in a fumble with no time left. Brandon Graham's scoop and score added six to their lead.
This is the game that changed everything. Philly won the NFC East and assured themselves they'd play in a home playoff game. B.G.'s trip to the end zone would be the only defensive TD he scored during his career.
Three sacks vs. the Jets in Week 5 of the 2019 Eagles season
Philly walked into Week 5 of the 2019 season boasting an average 2-2 record. Thankfully, the got a break on the schedule, a home date vs. a battered and broken New York Jets squad.
The Jets came to town winless and in trouble. Third-stringer Luke Falk was starting as Sam Darnold was suffering from mononucleosis. Philly did what they were supposed to do. They throttled the outmatched Jets to improve their record to above .500 at 3-2.
B.G. led the onslaught with three sacks, five QB hits and six total tackles. Four were solo and two resulted in a loss of yardage, but as often was the case during his career, he was robbed of the NFC Defensive Player of the Week mention.
It appears league offices punished B.G. because they knew the Jets weren't much competition that day. Frankly, we still don't believe Graham should have been punished for that. He was snubbed from the Pro Bowl team at season's end, but that's okay. He was given his flowers one year later.
A Pro Bowl nod in 2020
The 2020 Eagles season will be remembered as one of Graham's finest. Much of the reason for that was this would be the lone campaign in which he earned a Pro Bowl nod.
As proud as we are of him for that, we still thin he deserved the same honor several more time. Some sort of retraction needs to be written for snubbing him in 2016, 2017, 2019, and 2022 when he was overlooked during the popularity contest Pro Bowl voting has been known to birth.
B.G.'s first double-digit sacks season in 2022
As the 2022-23 campaign went on, the Philadelphia Eagles defense racked up sacks at a record-setting pace. Graham had turned the clock back and was partially responsible for that.
He produced his highest sack total in year 13, adding to the cause with 11 quarterback takedowns and 48 pressures per Pro Football Focus.
In Philly's final game that season, they imploded in Super Bowl 57 vs. the Chiefs. In a night, one of the greatest Eagles teams ever assembled transformed into one of the most disappointing. Still, we shouldn't let that force us to toss aside some of the great memories of a great season. What a run it was!
The Tom Brady strip-sack in Super Bowl 52
Well, you had to know this was coming. Who are we kidding? If this one didn't make the cut, this list needed to be thrown away entirely. Has their ever been a strip-sack as famous as this one?
Maybe the Charles Woodson vs. Tom Brady thing is the only moment that qualifies as competition. Everyone knows what you mean when you say 'tuck rule game', but we'd place our money on B.G. knocking the ball out of TB12's hands as the greatest forced fumble ever recorded.
Thank you to Brandon Graham for one of the best memories of our lives (and our favorite memory of Tom Brady)...
— Inside The Iggles (@InsideIggles) March 18, 2025
Enjoy retirement! We'll take it from here! pic.twitter.com/KLdwL4YUQS
B.G,'s hustle play probably prevented a New England Patriots go-ahead score. It helped deliver the first Lombardi Trophy to the city of Philadelphia. Come on. Nothing else is topping that.
Final thoughts:
So, it's with that we say thank you. Thank you to Number 55. Thank you for never giving up on yourself. We appreciate you never giving up on Eagles Nation.
The Eagles defense and locker room is now in the capable hands of jalen Hurts and the next generation of Birds. We can promise you this. If any of those guys have some B.G. in them, this team is set up to win for the next decade-plus.