Brandon Graham’s return inspired the Eagles’ dominant defense in Super Bowl LIX: ‘We feel his energy’

NEW ORLEANS — Brandon Graham returned to the New Orleans Saints locker room, the Eagles’ temporary Super Bowl digs, a man on a mission.

Through a haze of cigar smoke and the occasional deluge of champagne, Graham made the rounds in the dimly lit room, determined to dap up every teammate, coach, front office member, and Eagles staffer in sight.

Graham wrapped his arms around Howie Roseman, the man who drafted him No. 13 overall out of Michigan in 2010, and yelled, “You deserve this, baby,” capping the statement off with his signature cackle. He did his “Blade Dance” sack celebration with Avonte Maddox, a fellow Detroit native. He took a selfie with a cigar-puffing Jalen Hurts. He FaceTimed Jason Peters, the former Eagles tackle who mentored Graham when he entered the league.

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He also took a playful jab at the media lingering by his locker while wearing his seemingly perpetual grin:

“Hey, y’all didn’t believe!”

Graham sure did, both in the team’s Super Bowl fate and his own ability to return in time to contribute in the Eagles’ 40-22 drubbing of the Kansas City Chiefs. After tearing his triceps on Nov. 24 in the Eagles’ Week 12 victory over the Los Angeles Rams, Graham powered through his rehabilitation and managed to return to action in the Super Bowl just 11 weeks later.

As he celebrated his second Super Bowl title in his 15-year career, the 36-year-old defensive end soaked in every moment with his teammates. Could those memories be some of his last in an Eagles uniform? After all, Graham called the 2024 season his “farewell tour” following the wild-card loss against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last year.

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While seated in his temporary stall in the Saints locker room, Graham wasn’t ready to say farewell just yet.

“You know what?” Graham said. “I ain’t there yet. Just going to enjoy this. Who knows? Howie might call me. But you know what? If it is my last one, it was a hell of a way to go out. Too thankful. And I ain’t going nowhere. I’m going to be a part of the organization somehow.”

The organization hasn’t known a time without Brandon Graham since 2010. He fought off the “bust” label early in his career, as injuries held him back from reaching his potential. But he began to thrive when Jim Schwartz took over as defensive coordinator in 2016, giving way to his 9½-sack performance in 2017 that helped pave the way to the Super Bowl LVII victory. Graham continued to ascend, posting a career-high 11 sacks in 2022 at 34 years old, all while mentoring the next generation of Eagles defensive linemen.

Graham’s journey served as a lesson in determination for those who came up behind him, including the 27-year-old Josh Sweat, who posted a career-high 2½ sacks in the Super Bowl win.

“BG raised me in this league,” Sweat said. “I mean, early on in my career, it was rough for me. And he kept me going. ‘Cause he had a rough early career also. And he just showed me the way. I couldn’t be more grateful.”

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Sweat was equally grateful for Graham’s presence in the Super Bowl. The elder edge rusher said “it took everybody” to get him ready to play, between his own perseverance to the support of the strength and training staff. Graham only took 13 snaps, according to Pro Football Focus, finishing the night with one tackle.

Still, the defense felt his impact beyond his production on the field.

“It meant so much to not only him, but the group,” Sweat said. “The D-line, and the defense, the whole defense, was just so happy. Even if he was only out there for a play, we feel his energy all the time. He’s always encouraging us.”

The entire defensive front benefited from his encouragement. The Eagles combined for six sacks on Mahomes, the most he has taken in an NFL game, including the playoffs. Each of those sacks came from members of the defensive line.

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“We knew that last time, we let one slip,” Graham said. “This time around, we felt that from the last time. We had that chip all week. Them boys went out there and played.”

Graham was quick to give the defensive front its flowers, but Nolan Smith gave them right back to the veteran.

“That’s a [expletive] OG!” Smith yelled over Kendrick Lamar’s “squabble up” in the locker room. “Put some respect on his [expletive] name!”

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In the immediate aftermath of the game, Graham didn’t wax poetic about his 15 seasons in Philly and the respect he deserves for his contributions. That time will come once he officially decides to retire.

While he may be in the twilight of his career, the party is just beginning for Graham.

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“I’m so thankful right now, man,” Graham said. “It still ain’t all the way hit me. Just having so much fun. So much stuff going on. I just can’t wait to get out these pads so I can put these clothes on. Then we can really go party.”