Sometimes money isn’t everything.

Defensive side Brandon Graham could have likely signed a bigger deal with another franchise during free agency.

As a result, he agreed to the terms of a one-year deal worth up to $6 million, according to ESPN.com.

“It wasn’t about the lack of money either,” Graham told ESPN.com. are doing”

A first-round draft pick for the team in 2010, Graham is already Philadelphia’s longest-serving current professional athlete. He was in his 14th season with the Eagles, playing the most seasons on the team alongside Chuck Bednaric (1949-62).

The 34-year-old has appeared in 178 games for the Eagles, and stands to break former placekicker David Akers’ franchise record of 188 (second only to Graham with 176 games).

It’s rare to live that long in Philadelphia. Graham and Kelce consider him one of his 10 players to have played at least 160 games at the Eagles on the green. Of the other eight, only former tight end Brent Sellek (175) and current defensive tackle Fletcher Cox (173) have spent their entire careers with the Byrds, and Cox will move elsewhere in 2023. likely to play.

Loyalty usually doesn’t pay off, even if you’re one of the greatest players in franchise history. Safety Brian Dawkins signed with Denver after 13 seasons and 183 games. Wide his receiver Harold Carmichael reluctantly joined the Cowboys after completing 13 of his seasons and his 180 games. Quarterback Donovan McNabb was traded to Washington after 11 years. Defensive his end Trent Cole (Indianapolis) and tackle Tiger his Thomas (Jacksonville) met a similar fate after more than ten years with the team.

Eagles general manager Howie Roseman and owner Jeffrey Lurie also deserve credit for acknowledging Graham’s importance to the team and community.

You’ve seen enough episodes of “Dancing with the Stars.” This is a trade-off for watching sports. To tango he knows it takes twice.

Graham and Roseman proved to be footballers to rival DWTS Season 2 winners Drew Lachey and Sheryl Burke.

Graham, who turns 35 next month, is one of the few athletes whose worth to the team can’t be rigorously measured on the field.

He’s still a productive pass rusher, posting a career-high 11 sacks this season, but the veteran is also arguably the team’s greatest defensive leader as well. When he speaks, young players like Josh Sweat and Hurson Reddick listen.

He also put together arguably the greatest defensive play in franchise history in Super Bowl LII.

Nick Foles and the “Philly Special” might not have mattered if it wasn’t for Graham’s strip sack from Patriots quarterback Tom Brady that sealed the Eagles’ 41-33 victory.

Like Derek Huff, who won the Mirrorball Trophy six times, Graham has mastered a variety of moves and worked well with a variety of partners.

During his 13-year career, he has five fielders: Sean McDermott (2010), Juan Castillo (2011-12), Billy Davis (2013-15), Jim Schwartz (2016-20) and Jonathan Gannon (2021-22). acted as coordinator. Even when Davis moved him out of linebacker at the 3-4 alignment, he did so without complaint.

Next up is Sean Desai, who was hired last week to replace Gannon after becoming Arizona’s new head coach.

The defense is likely to change this season. Cox has nine veterans set to become unrestricted free agents next week, including cornerback James Bradbury, safety CJ Gardner-Johnson, linebacker TJ Edwards and defensive tackle Javon Hargrave. I’m alone. The team also gave cornerback Darius Sorey permission to seek a trade, according to ESPN.

“Dancing with the Stars” is undergoing a similar overhaul. Rumor has it that Cheryl Burke has ditched her dancing shoes, but Hough may stick to judging instead of competing. increase.

It helps to have veterans who are a steady force in the chaos.

At DWTS, judges Carrie Ann Inaba and Bruno Tonioli participate each season.

For the Eagles, it’s Brandon Graham.

If it seems like I know too much about Dancing With The Stars, I am. But there’s a small price to pay for watching the Eagles, Phillies, and other sports.