Feb. 4, 2026, 4:51 p.m. ET

You can literally find an answer to everything by using artificial intelligence. This number obviously changes with every unexpected release or an unfortunate career-ending injury, but Brandon Graham’s legendary run with the Philadelphia Eagles made us ask a question.

How long is the average career for someone playing professional football?

Believe it or not, 16 years is both uncommon and a blessing. Something tells us you could have figured this out on your own, but here’s what ChatGPT says. The average NFL career spans 3.3 seasons.

For the game’s top players, a playing career can last 8 to 12 years, but that’s usually an exception, not the rule. Most guys who get to play at the highest level of football won’t play out their rookie contracts.

Each year, there’s an NFL Draft. Guys who didn’t work out are often swapped out on the depth chart for someone else. Some guys bounce around for a few more opportunities, which brings us to an ex-Eagles wide receiver who is currently third on the most recent depth chart.

Expert NFL picks: Exclusive betting insights only at USA TODAY.

Here’s something that could have landed on your radar just as easily as you missing it. Per a report by ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, former Eagles practice squad member Terrace Marshall gets another opportunity. He lands with the Miami Dolphins, per his agent.

Marshall was a former second-round draftee, one who played on that mighty LSU Tigers team that won the 2019 College Football Playoff National Championship. He has bounced around. He was drafted by the Carolina Panthers. He spent three seasons there. Look! There’s that magic number again.

Fortunately, he earned another opportunity, four of them actually. He joined the San Francisco 49ers as part of their practice squad in August of 2024. He was released on October 15 that same year.

Seven days later, the Las Vegas Raiders signed him to their practice squad, eventually promoting him to the active roster on November 28. Most of you remember him signing with the Eagles in April and being released during final roster cuts (August 26).

He was signed to the practice squad five days later and released on November 4. He re-signed with the scout team on December 1. Hopefully, things work out in Miami. This very well could be his last opportunity.