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NFL+: The Insiders

Brandon Graham has talked with Eagles about coming out of retirement, rejoining team

For the second time in less than nine months, Brandon Graham is on the verge of another unexpected comeback.

The former Eagles Pro Bowl defensive end and locker-room leader has had discussions with Philadelphia about coming out of retirement and is considering a return to the team to help a pass rush badly in need of experience and impact, according to sources informed of the talks between the sides.

Though no final decisions have been made, it's quite possible Graham could soon return for a 16th season with the Eagles after hanging up his cleats following the team's Super Bowl LIX win over the Chiefs in February -- a game in which Graham played after working his way back from a torn triceps suffered in Week 12, only to re-tear the muscle.

Graham, 37, has been active in the media in retirement, including a regular gig with NFL Network's Good Morning Football. On his Unblocked podcast last week, he addressed speculation about his return to the Eagles in the wake of edge rusher Za'Darius Smith's sudden retirement on Oct. 13.

"I'm flattered, actually, that everybody (says), 'Come on back, come on back,'" said Graham, who didn't divulge whether he was considering a return. "It's pretty cool."

Graham's potential return could be a boost for an Eagles defense that is tied for 25th in the NFL with nine sacks (only one from an edge rusher on the active roster in Patrick Johnson).

"They've been banged up on the edge, banged up with Nolan Smith. They would benefit from having his physicality and the way he plays defensive end on the field," former Eagles center Jason Kelce said this past week on WIP-FM. "Outside of that, I only want Brandon Graham to play football if he wants to play football. I don't think when he retired he fully wanted to stop playing football."

"It felt like he got convinced that it was time to hang it up," Kelce continued. "And I don't know this, I think at the end of the day if Brandon in his heart wants to come back, I think the Eagles should damn sure give him that opportunity because I think they need that."

Graham also could provide leadership in what appears to be a splintered Eagles locker room right now.

Despite being a defensive player, Graham had an impact on both sides of the ball as a mediator and voice of experience during his Eagles tenure. With quarterback Jalen Hurts and A.J. Brown among those struggling to get on the same page early this season, Graham might be the glue the room needs. Though he's been around the facility, putting on the pads and taking the field provides a level of involvement that would make his voice resonate even louder.

"You're always going to feel like you can do something," Graham said on his podcast last week when asked if he gets the urge to provide advice to help the team. "You want people to grow, too. And right now, it's hard for some people, it's hard, especially for the young guys because it's something new."

Graham added: "They've got some battles that they've got to fight, but if they do it together, they'll be in a good spot."

The Eagles (4-2) face the Minnesota Vikings (3-2) on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET.

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