The Philadelphia Eagles have placed defensive end Brandon Graham on their reserve/retired list ahead of the 2025 NFL season, signaling his official retirement status while leaving room for a potential return. Graham, who announced his retirement in March, recently expressed that he is not entirely finished with football.

Brandon Graham’s Retirement Status and Training Commitment

<pDuring an appearance on the Up & Adams Show, Graham described himself as "90 percent retired," explaining that the remaining 10 percent reflects his ongoing dedication to maintaining his fitness and training regimen. He emphasized that while training specifically for games is different, he continues to focus on staying in shape and rehabbing his arm. Graham noted,

“The 10 is how much I want to continue to train the way I’m training. . . . Training to train for a game is different, but I haven’t really changed that yet. I just want to go out there and speed it up to whereI wanna look good and make sure that I’m staying fit and while I’m still rehabbing my arm and making sure that when I do retire, I’m staying in the habit of that, because a lot of guys tell me that when you leave, you’ve gotta make sure you stay in the habit of working out.”

—Brandon Graham, Defensive End

Career Highlights and Contract History with the Eagles

Selected by Philadelphia in the first round of the 2010 NFL Draft, Graham has spent his entire 15-season career with the Eagles. He played out the last year of a four-year, $26 million contract before signing a three-year, $40 million extension in 2019. Most recently, Graham agreed to a one-year deal valued at $6 million this past March, marking his final contract before retirement.

Throughout his tenure, Graham amassed impressive career statistics including 487 total tackles, 126 tackles for loss, 76.5 sacks, 22 forced fumbles, seven fumble recoveries, and 11 passes defended. He is also a two-time Super Bowl champion and earned one Pro Bowl selection during his career.

What the Future May Hold for Graham and the Eagles

Although Graham has stepped away from active play, his use of the reserve/retired list by Philadelphia keeps the door open for any future developments regarding a comeback. At age 36, Graham’s commitment to training suggests he might consider returning to the NFL under the right circumstances. For now, the Eagles will retain his rights on the retired list as the team and player evaluate next steps.

Brandon Graham’s legacy as a cornerstone of the Eagles’ defense highlights the significance of his career and the potential impact if he chooses to rejoin the league. Fans and analysts alike will watch closely for any announcements about his future involvement in football.