MINNEAPOLIS — The Eagles had plenty to feel good about Sunday.

They snapped a two-game losing streak with a 28–22 win over the Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium.

And there may be more good news coming: franchise legend Brandon Graham is strongly considering coming out of retirement to rejoin the team, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported late Saturday night.

The longtime defensive end retired this spring after 15 seasons in Philadelphia. He helped the Eagles win two Super Bowls and made an All-Pro team in 2016.

Graham’s former teammates couldn’t hide their excitement when asked about the possibility of his return after the game.

Quarterback Jalen Hurts laughed and walked away from the podium after he was asked about Graham. Before leaving the room, Hurts told reporters: “There will be a locker ready for him.”

Veteran edge rusher Za’Darius Smith had been assigned Graham’s old locker this season, but after Smith’s retirement last week, that spot is open again.

Graham would likely serve as a rotational pass rusher, but his biggest value could come through mentorship. Jalyx Hunt and Nolan Smith, in particular, could benefit from another year of learning under Graham.

Even 27-year-old Josh Uche is eager to learn from him.

“He’s a leader, man. Captain here for numerous years,” Uche said when asked about playing alongside Graham, a fellow Michigan alum. “To be able to gain some wisdom and for him to lead the room, man, who wouldn’t want that? Michigan guy. Another Michigan guy in the room is great.”

Eagles offensive tackle Jordan Mailata claimed he had no idea Graham was contemplating a return, but he would like to see it happen.

“If he were to come back, hell yeah,“ Mailata said. ”That’s uncle right there. Uncle OG. That’s one of the most important pieces we had (when) getting (to) a Super bowl last year. It would just add depth again and that pop.”

Graham went out on top last season, returning from a torn triceps in time to help the Eagles defeat the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX. He re-tore his triceps that night but pushed through the pain, believing it would be his final game.

Now, Graham might have 10 more games left in him.

Graham amassed 20 tackles and 3.5 sacks in 11 games last season. He turned 37 years old this past April and has not played football since last February, but his teammates still believe he could be productive.

It would mean a lot to get him back,” linebacker Nakobe Dean said. “No matter if he comes back at any capacity — whether he plays every snap, no snaps, or just two — it doesn’t matter. The energy BG brings is unparalleled. Just having a guy like him in the locker room will be great, and he can still ball.”

The Eagles will need Graham to help generate more consistent pressure on opposing quarterbacks. Hunt had a pick-six off Vikings QB Carson Wentz, and Uche delivered a key fourth-quarter sack, but overall, the pass rush has been inconsistent through the first seven weeks.

Prior to yesterday, Patrick Johnson was the only edge rusher to record a sack this year.

Depth edge rusher Azeez Ojulari also suffered a hamstring injury against the Vikings, leaving an already thin group even thinner.

The Eagles’ four-man rotation of Smith (once he returns from injury in November), Hunt, Uche and Graham could be solid. Still, the team could trade for another pass rusher to make the unit even stronger.

Whatever happens next, the Eagles are just glad Graham wants to return.

“We’re excited if the old head does come back,” Johnson said. “It’s always going to be open arms. “He took me in with open arms when I came here in 2021. He’s been a great leader. Obviously you see stuff on social media all the time, and I haven’t really heard anything about it for real, actually in the building. But if it does (happen), I’m going to be super, super excited because I know he’ll bring that leadership.

“I feel like we already got leaders in the room, but I feel like a guy like him who’s already been a leader for several, several years, it’s going to bring in a tone setter for our room.”

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