Retired Eagles Super Bowl Champ Sends Strong Message to Former Teammates

Brandon Graham may be biased, but he’s already made his pick for next year’s Super Bowl.

Well, sort of.

The 37-year-old Graham, who retired from the NFL in March after 15 seasons, all with the Philadelphia Eagles, believes his former team has a strong chance to repeat.

“I really do feel like they going back again,” the longtime defensive end said on the latest episode of “Gallen of Questions,” which is broadcast on PHILLY57 and CBS News Philadelphia.

With training camp just around the corner, the Eagles are certainly on the short list of favorites, if not the favorite. The Eagles lost a few key pieces in free agency but return their core superstars, including quarterback Jalen Hurts, running back Saquon Barkley and defensive tackle Jalen Carter.

Super Bowl LX will be played at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Feb. 8, 2026.

What is Unique About the Eagles Locker Room?

Talent is key, but it can only take teams so far. Part of what makes the Eagles special, Graham explained, is their leadership.

“You got people that will address something if it really needs to be addressed,” Graham said via CBS News Philadelphia. “And that’s what you really want with a team. In our business, you’ve got to address stuff, or it’ll show up on you at the wrong time. And I feel like we got that. We got guys that, if coach don’t want to say it, we going to say it.”

When drama unfolded in the locker room last year between Hurts and star receiver AJ Brown, Graham publicly acknowledged the fraying of their relationship on SportsRadio 94WIP, saying that “things have changed” between the two.

Graham later apologized, and his comments were eventually swept under the rug as Philadelphia marched to another championship, pummeling the Kansas City Chiefs 40-22 in Super Bowl LIX.

“We got to address things that pop up in the season,” Graham said. “That happened this year and we addressed it, and we moved on. And we stayed focused on what the goal was, but you got to make sure they have the leaders in that room, which I know they do.

“Why it can’t be them to do it again? That’s how I feel.”

How is the Eagles’ Offseason Shaping Up?

The Eagles have managed to keep much of their core intact. That’s no small feat in the salary-cap era, where rosters turn over constantly. General manager Howie Roseman took care of several veteran players this offseason, handing out extensions to Barkley, center Cam Jurgens and right tackle Lane Johnson.

The Eagles, of course, also return Hurts, who has overcome a revolving door of offensive play-callers to become one of the league’s top quarterbacks. Hurts was named MVP of Super Bowl LIX, completing 17 of 22 passes for 221 yards, two touchdowns and one interception, while rushing for 72 yards and another score.

“He lock in, he really do lock in,” Graham said. “And I got much respect for that behind closed doors, nobody would know because everybody don’t get to see that.”