Philadelphia Eagles outside linebacker Brandon Graham has managed to turn himself into a heck of an NFL player.
And hey, just in time to cash in.
A guy who has spent most of his professional football career fighting the "bust" label and known more for the dubious honor of having been taken one spot ahead of All-Pro Seahawks safety, Earl Thomas, in the 2010 NFL Draft than any particular on-field exploit, Graham, over the last couple of seasons, has become one of the most efficient and effective pass-rushers in the league. (Of course, he's done it with a low number of snaps, but hey, why fight the narrative?)
He's now set to hit NFL free agency in a matter of days with a full head of steam and plenty of sack-hungry suitors.
While most NFL pundits expect Graham to leave the Eagles via a new deal on the open market, a report from Tim McManus of Philly Mag reveals that Philadelphia and head coach Chip Kelly haven't yet given up hopes of resigning him.
"The Eagles still have interest in re-signing Brandon Graham. The two sides are expected to meet early this week, we're told, presumably to try and knock out a deal," writes McManus.
Whether a deal is in the cards or not is hard to gauge.
As Sheil Kapadia, McManus' Philly Mag cohort, notes, the decision by the New York Giants and Kansas City Chiefs to place the franchise tag on Jason Pierre-Paul and Justin Houston, respectively, today has narrowed the edge pass-rusher free agent market, perhaps increasing Graham's value.
Graham is said to be looking for a deal in the $7 to $8 million per year range and eyeing a move to a 4-3 team, where he'd be able to play with his hand in the dirt and operate as a pass-rusher first and foremost.
Complicating matters is the presence of outside linebacker Connor Barwin, a player the Eagles signed in free agency when they brought Kelly on board and made the switch to the 3-4 and who makes an average of $6 million a season.
He reached his first Pro Bowl this year - a feat Graham has never achieved.
As for Trent Cole, the long-time Eagle fan favorite forced to spend his twilight NFL years learning the outside linebacker position is in talks with the team on restructuring his deal.
"Meanwhile, reports suggest that the Eagles are working with Trent Cole on a salary restructure. His leverage would obviously be affected by what happens with Graham," per McManus.
Cole is slated to count upwards of $11 million against the cap for next year - a number the team is almost assuredly unwilling to commit to a player of his advanced age - 32 - and declining production - 52 tackles, 6.5 sacks last season, the third-lowest sack total of his 10-year NFL career.
