Rumor: Brandon Graham and Fletcher Cox may say goodbye to Philly

Posted on March 5, 2023

Free agency is nearly upon us, and the Philadelphia Eagles could lose two of their veteran players.

Defensive end Brandon Graham and defensive tackle Fletcher Cox are both interested in joining the Cleveland Browns. The news was reported by Jared Mueller of SB Nation.

TIME MAY BE LIMITED FOR VETERANS BRANDON GRAHAM AND FLETCHER COX

One of the most beloved Eagles’ players, Brandon Graham, is the longest tenured athlete in Philadelphia. With 13 seasons under his belt, the 34-year-old prefers to finish his career in midnight green, but is open to signing elsewhere depending on the Eagles’ offer.

Graham has a career total of 449 combined tackles, 70 sacks, 22 forced fumbles, and seven fumble recoveries. He completing a career-high 11 sacks this past season, and was one of four defensive players to finish with 10+ sacks, making NFL history.

The defensive end made the Pro Bowl for the first time in 2020, and has been significantly underrated during his career. He is now generating a lot of interest around the league, particular from the Cleveland Browns.

Also linked to the rumor is teammate Fletcher Cox. At 32 years old, Cox has seen better seasons, but after 11 professional years, the Browns are also interested in bringing him on board.

Cox is a one-time First-Team All-Pro, three-time Second-Team All-Pro, and six-time Pro Bowler. While in Philadelphia, he’s completed 486 combined tackles, 65 sacks, 15 forced fumbles, and 13 fumble recoveries.

WILL THE MOVE TO CLEVELAND HAPPEN?

The move to Cleveland would reunite both Graham and Cox with former defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz. Schwartz coached for Philadelphia from 2016-2021. Despite inheriting one of the worst defenses in the league, he turned the team around, putting them in the top-five before he departed.

This January, he was hired by the Cleveland Browns.

The Browns also employ two former Eagles executives who overlapped time with Graham — general manager Andrew Berry and assistant general manager Catherine Raiche.

This past season, the Browns were last in the AFC North, finishing with a 7-10 record. On defense, they have a huge playmaker in Myles Garrett, but after that, help is sparse. As free agency looms, Cleveland will be look to gain serious playmakers.

As for Philadelphia, Fletcher Cox is probably the most likely to go. Following the 2021 season, there were many rumors Cox would be traded. Now, a free agent, his contract value stands at $14 million.

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Alicia Andaloro

Alicia was born and raised in Philadelphia, becoming an avid Eagles fan as a child. She graduated from Penn State University and now works in the medical field. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling and baking.

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