Brandon Graham on pace to top historic franchise mark w/ Eagles

Brandon Graham Cheryl Evans/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK

Brandon Graham on pace to top historic franchise mark with Eagles

By Mike Santa Barbara | Last updated 3/10/23

The Philadelphia Eagles have some tough decisions to make this offseason regarding who stays and who goes from this past season's NFC Championship squad. The Birds will have one familiar face back, inking veteran defensive end Brandon Graham to a one-year deal on Friday.

Already a franchise legend, Graham will have the opportunity next season to cement his legacy in the Eagles' record books.

When Graham takes the field for the 2023-24 campaign, it will be the start of his 14th season in Philadelphia, tying Hall of Famer Chuck Bednarik for the most in Eagles' history. And with Graham's 178 games played in midnight green, he is only 11 contests shy of surpassing former Pro Bowl kicker David Akers (188) for the most games played all-time by an Eagle.

With this coming season, Graham will tie Chuck Bednarik for most seasons with the Eagles at 14.

Graham also has a chance to play the most games ever in an Eagles uniform:

1. David Akers: 188
2. Brian Dawkins: 183
3. Harold Carmichael: 180
4. Brandon Graham: 178 https://t.co/RHbPMXMgwG
— Dave Zangaro (@DZangaroNBCS) March 10, 2023

With his contract up this spring, Graham could have potentially cashed in on the open market, but that would've meant leaving the only team he's known. Ultimately, Graham signed a one-year contract that could pay the 34-year-old $6 million with incentives, per ESPN's Tim McManus.

While Graham admitted to CBS Sports NFL Insider Josina Anderson that he would miss out on a "few steaks" by passing on exploring free agency, he said that staying in Philadelphia and winning were both more important than money.

"I'm coming back. It wasn't about the money," Graham said. "I love Philly. I don't want to miss a championship with Jalen [Hurts]. Jalen is the man. I just told my agent make it happen."

A first-round pick by the Eagles in the 2010 NFL Draft, Graham still seemingly has something left in the tank after a standout 2022 campaign. After a torn Achilles limited him to only two games in 2021-22, Graham played in all 17 games for the Eagles last year, setting a career-high in sacks with 17.

Graham -- once-upon-a-time considered a draft bust -- is currently Philadelphia's longest-tenured athlete in any sport and will likely retire as one of the most beloved Eagles ever.

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