Brandon Graham officially coming out of retirement after finalizing deal to rejoin Eagles

PHILADELPHIA -- Defensive end Brandon Graham has decided to come out of retirement after finalizing a deal Tuesday to rejoin the Philadelphia Eagles.

Graham, the longest-tenured player in franchise history, will suit up for his 16th season on a one-year deal.

Graham said Tuesday on his podcast that he has "no expectations" for his comeback and is "excited just to get after it."

"Of course, I believe in the team," Graham said on the "BG Unblocked" podcast. "That's a big part of it, too. I think they got everything they need. I just want to add more value."

"I'm just excited to be back," he told Action News sports reporter Gabriella Galati shortly after his return was made official.

Graham said he'll have a renewed appreciation for being back on the field, having gotten a taste of retirement.

"Knowing what it's going to be like when it is over-over, I'm just happy that I got another chance at it, to go make a run for a championship," he said.

He went on to say he didn't want to have any regrets when the opportunity came his way.

"I felt I still had a little bit left in me to go out there, to go out there and make plays and do stuff to help the team," Graham said.

Graham said he believes this Eagles team has a shot at a repeat Super Bowl win.

"We gotta stay level-headed and make sure we're bringing each other up and keep building this team, because we've got such a great team," he said.

The move comes on the heels of Za'Darius Smith's sudden retirement last week. Smith led a depleted edge group with 1.5 sacks.

The Eagles came into the season with question marks at edge rusher following the departures of Graham and Josh Sweat. The position took a further hit when Nolan Smith Jr.was placed on injured reserve last month with a triceps injury.

Smith is expected to return after Philadelphia's Week 9 bye.

Ogbo Okoronkwo was also placed on IR with a triceps injury after Philadelphia's Week 4 game.

Graham, 37, returned from a torn triceps muscle to play in last season's Super Bowl and help the Eagles win their second championship in what was thought to be the final game of his NFL career.

SEE ALSO | Eagles legend Brandon Graham tackles football, life in new children's book

"If he were to come back, hell yeah," left tackle Jordan Mailata said Sunday following Philadelphia's win at Minnesota. "That's uncle right there, uncle OG. One of the most important pieces we had getting a Super Bowl last year. I think it would just add depth and that pop."

Graham holds the Eagles' record for most regular-season games played (206) and is third in franchise history with 76.5 career sacks. He made his lone Pro Bowl in 2020 and recorded his first double-digit sack campaign in 2022, posting 11 takedowns.

Graham's strip sack of Tom Brady in the closing moments of Super Bowl LII helped secure a narrow win over the New England Patriots and delivered the first Lombardi Trophy to Philadelphia.