The Philadelphia Eagles are going to lose a lot of key contributors in free company. Howie Roseman set the stage for an exodus whereas talking on the NFL Mix.
One such participant who may be headed out the door is without doubt one of the most beloved in franchise historical past: Brandon Graham.
The soon-to-be 35-year-old is claimed to be “producing curiosity from different groups, together with the Browns.” This a lot in line with a report from ESPN’s Tim McManus, who provides:
His desire is to complete his profession in Philly however sense right here is he’s open to signing elsewhere, relying on the place the Eagles are available in with their supply.
This report just isn’t the one linking Graham to Cleveland. Jared Mueller from SB Nation’s Browns outlet, Dawgs By Nature, wrote the next on Thursday based mostly on buzz he heard whereas protecting the Mix in Indianapolis:
Veterans Fletcher Cox and Brandon Graham could be thinking about becoming a member of [Browns defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz] relying on how issues go along with Philadelphia. Cox is extra more likely to be free than Graham.
Along with the Schwartz connection, the Browns notably make use of two former Eagles executives who overlapped with Graham in Philly: normal supervisor Andrew Berry and assistant GM Catherine Raîche.
Cleveland desperately wants so as to add extra go speeding juice. Myles Garrett is clearly an elite expertise; he had 16 sacks final season. The participant with the second-most on the crew behind him, although? That was Taven Bryan with simply three. Their different beginning edge rusher, Jadeveon Clowney, solely had two. And he’s certain to go away the Browns after saying there’s a “95% probability” he wouldn’t be again after a public falling out with the crew.
All of that is to say that it’s not troublesome to imagine the Browns have real curiosity in signing Graham.
That mentioned, the Eagles shouldn’t let him go away so simply. Roseman has talked about guarding towards sentimentality … however bringing Graham again wouldn’t solely be about what he’s already performed for Philadelphia. There’s purpose to imagine he can nonetheless be a really productive a part of the go rush rotation coming off a profession 11-sack season. Graham’s sport figures to age nicely since he usually wins together with his energy and energy versus counting on pure athleticism.
And if there ever is an exception to a rule about not retaining older gamers, Graham ought to simply be one in all them. Dude made the largest play in franchise historical past. And he’s such a optimistic drive of power to have round within the locker room.
The Eagles may have “stroll away” numbers for his or her free brokers. They have to be good about how they spend and it’s attainable that BG gained’t be within the price range. It could be actually unhappy to see him go. And the crew could be worse off with out him.
One would hope the 2 sides are in a position to get one thing performed to maintain an all-time Eagle in Philly.
