Brandon Graham’s time with the Eagles is over but he helped create a whole new legacy for Nolan Smith that’s just starting
After 15 years in Midnight Green, Brandon Graham, a defensive end with the Philadelphia Eagles, has announced his retirement. The Eagles
The Eagles now need to find a replacement for Graham’s leadership in Philadelphia’s locker room as well as his output on the field.
They might not need to search far, though, since Graham has been providing behind-the-scenes coaching to pass rusher Nolan Smith for the past two seasons. Smith, who was also a previous Birds first-round pick, received a lot of criticism for only recording one sack in his first 21 NFL games. He was even referred to as a draft bust by some.
Smith remarked during the 2024 NFL season, “B.G. was in my corner, man, when I had nobody else in my corner.” And it seems to me that he instructed me to continue working and to keep my head down. And when the sacks finally arrive and they are all [adoring] you, guy, do not worry about it; just keep working. Therefore, I simply keep that in the back of my mind.
Smith went on to lead the Eagles defense with 6.5 sacks and 10.5 overall after the postseason, proving that Graham’s experience and advice were effective.
In addition, Smith recorded 24 QB pressures, 11 quarterback hits, two passes deflected, and 42 tackles. In the Eagles’ 40-22 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX, he recorded two additional quarterback hits. “Smith is just getting started,” Graham said.
Graham stated, “That youngster has just been working and taking all the barbs,” when he spoke on the 94WIP Morning Show at the conclusion of the Eagles’ campaign. “Coaching and the media have been throwing a lot of jabs at him…Nolan simply avoided listening [to the noise] and maintained his focus.
