Following a year in which the Philadelphia Eagles looked truly unbeatable by the finish, the team has struggled mightily to rekindle that same success this season. Two straight embarrassing losses, and the team looks like a shell of the historic unit they were in 2024.
While the Eagles were able to re-secure some talent, Zack Baun notably leads that list; many more were lost to free agency, trades, or even retirement. Among the latter category is Brandon Graham.
Throughout his 15-year NFL career, Graham has followed a more unique trajectory than most, overcoming early struggles to become one of the most influential players in Eagles history.
To discuss life after football, the current state of the Eagles, and more, franchise legend Brandon Graham sat down with Philly Sports Network, giving his advice to his former teammates on how they can shut out the noise and return to their former selves.
"Well, for one, [they] have to keep winning," Graham began. "But it's the way you coexist as coworkers, the way you put the grind in every day. It's chaos. It's chaos all the time. It's at every organization. It doesn't matter, because [you] are under a microscope, and people are going to notice every little thing on the field. They're gonna notice body language, they're gonna notice so much stuff, especially in Philly. But all they have to do is, like we did last year, is manage the noise, and talk to each other. Grind every day, because that's a non-negotiable. [They] got to make sure [they're] working together, [they] know what to do."
Chemistry is a struggle often for teams, especially those who face the uphill battle of retaining players after winning a championship.
"It's not that team last year," Graham said. "[There are] new people in here, and [because] there are new people, the people that have been there have to get them to believe in the dream. Either they're rubbing off on [you] or [you're] rubbing off on them."
One of the most difficult accomplishments in sports is winning the Super Bowl. Even more difficult than that, repeating the following season. Only eight teams have accomplished that feat, a total of nine times in NFL history. Twice as many teams (17) have missed the playoffs altogether after winning the Super Bowl.
To Graham, the goal remains the same every year. Despite what history says, if the team is focused on the grind and play together,
"Sometimes I feel you've got to fight against the [feeling of] 'We won a Super Bowl last year,' but why can't we do another one?' What are we doing it for, if that ain't the goal every year? But it is an uphill battle. And so that's why I'm like, all they got to do is just block out the noise. They have to make sure that they stand together, and then make sure [they're] holding people accountable.
That's another thing you have to be accountable for in this. Sometimes you might get chewed out, but it's okay, because the goal is to get better, one percent better as a team and as an individual. So I think they have to stay focused on that, because you've seen what happened when now they're passing a whole bunch of times, and it's like, run the ball, but you know you're a balanced person, but you let the noise get to you. So, just stay balanced, get everybody involved, and then, man, let's see where the cards fall."
Graham is still with the Eagles in an official capacity. He even has a locker in the team facility still, though he is now with the staff, and not the players.
One last note, for those hoping to see Graham take more of a hands-on approach to solving the Eagles' struggles on the field, don't hold your breath.
While Graham was non-committal on whether or not Howie Roseman had contacted him about returning to the field, he made a point to mention how his current role helps him to stay focused and connected while also allowing him to raise his young kids.
As for joining the coaching staff or the front office? Maybe not next year, maybe not the year after, but Brandon Graham certainly hasn't closed the book on that possibility.
