The Uplifter

PHILADELPHIA – The way Jordan Mailata remembered it, all was quiet during the Eagles’ Wednesday pre-practice stretch. Sure, music pulsed through the gargantuan speakers stationed near a NovaCare Complex practice field as usual, but no one was really talking – with one exception.

Bouncing around with notoriously boundless energy and, probably, a wide grin, Brandon Graham was back in his element. The 37-year-old returned to the Eagles following a months-long retirement, but even if some time has passed, Graham – who boasts a PHD in spirited trash-talking – in his first practice wasted little time making up for what was lost.

“It was, like, quiet, all you heard was music and you just hear BG [yelling], ‘Yeah, I could hear you breathing heavy already! Yeah, fat boy!'” Mailata said, punctuating his recount by emulating Graham’s signature, endearing cackle.

Graham, a two-time Super Bowl champion and third all-time in franchise history in sacks (76.5), temporarily abandoned the golf clubs and budding media career because he believes the 2025 Eagles have the “opportunity of a lifetime” given the abundance of talented assembled. That wasn’t the only rationale nudging him out of retirement, however.

“And I just feel like I still got a duty to come in and help, since I feel like I still got a little juice left,” he said, standing in front of his locker of his old locker.

GETTY IMAGES: Now that he’s back from retirement, Brandon Graham is trying to impact the Eagles’ defense as quickly as possible.

Graham’s arrival comes at a critical time for a thin Eagles pass-rush contingent that could possibly be down to just three true players at the position Sunday when the Eagles host the New York Giants. Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio didn’t sound optimistic regarding the availability of Azeez Ojulari, who sustained a hamstring injury against the Vikings.

Ascending third-year pro Nolan Smith remains on injured reserve but is expected to return in November. But the need for a reinforcement became even more urgent weeks earlier, in light of the sudden retirement of Za’Darius Smith.

Rookie linebacker Jihaad Campbell can aid the group in absorbing reps there, but the eventual addition of Graham to the rotation was a welcomed addition, arming Fangio with more flexibility.

Still, for as good as he felt after his first day back on the job, Graham isn’t concerned with decisions that are out of his hands, like his availability for Sunday.

“We gonna see,” he said. “I’m gonna let Coach do that. But, honestly, I’m just here to continue to keep affirming everybody on their ability. Keep it going, keeping their mind good, while bringing energy and having fun. When you step out and you come back, you can appreciate the chaos more. ‘Cause that’s what you miss … you miss the building with your brothers.”

Graham revealed that he knew he wasn’t “all the way done” with football, even though he retired. He was hoping the Eagles didn’t need him, though he maintained the same routine to remain shape.

In fact, Graham, over the past two or three months, conducted a training camp of his own, fixating on specifics such as get-offs and turning and running. He acknowledged the challenges of working out alone, citing the uncertainty of rest times. In a typical NFL training camp, for example, rest periods tend to vary due to the number of players at a position participating and cycling through a drill.

Fangio, in an attempt to stoke the fire, said Tuesday he would tease Graham “not to retire” dating all the way back to February and March.

He even had a staff locker that he’d use whenever working out at the NovaCare Complex.

Opportunity knocked at the right time, and Graham had worked diligently to be prepared to answer the bell if rung. There’s another chapter that follows what appeared to be a storybook ending that resulted in Graham’s second Lombardi Trophy. Furthering the notion of retirement, Graham tore his triceps in Week 12 of the 2024 season – and again in Super Bowl LIX.

The injuries, like Graham’s retirement, ran its course. Graham said he feels no residual effects from the injury.

“I feel good,” he said. “I feel like nothing happened. It’s healed up, body feels fresh. They call them fresh legs, but right now, just taking it day-to-day. Just enjoying it, man. I’m happy to be back.”

As Fangio will tell you, the level of retention and Graham’s conditioning will determine how soon, and how much, he can contribute. Fangio expressed confidence in the retention piece, but the veteran coordinator expanded on the latter, explaining the difference between conditioning, football shape and contact shape.

On that topic, following his first practice, Graham said he doesn’t feel “too far off” because of his self-imposed training camp. Right now, he said, his biggest conundrum is “trying to be able to talk my trash and work out at the same time.”

What shouldn’t be understated is leadership, institutional knowledge and wisdom that Graham provides. The Michigan product has the makings of a football lifer, his passion for the game as evident as his uncanny knack for uplifting – and bettering – those around him. And in typical BG fashion, it didn’t take long for him to make an impression.

“Oh, it’s awesome,” rookie defensive tackle Ty Robinson said. “I got to meet him a few times in the summer. He’s an awesome dude. And to have him out there, he’s looking at me as I’m friggin’ dogshit tired out there, and he’s going, ‘I’m tired, too. We’re about done.’

“And so, it just kind of felt good to hear him try to pick me up a little bit, ’cause he knew I was kind of sucking wind a little bit out there after taking all the scout team reps.”

— Andrew DiCecco (@AndrewDiCecco) is a Staff Reporter/Content Producer for InsideTheBirds.com