Eagles re-sign Brandon Graham to 4-year deal

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Miami? Tennessee? New York?

Nope, nope and nope.

Brandon Graham is returning to Philadelphia.

The Eagles on Monday re-signed the affable outside linebacker to a four-year deal. A league source has told CSNPhilly.com's Geoff Mosher the deal is worth $6.5 million per season and includes $14 million guaranteed.

After the Eagles were unable to extend Graham during the season, it appeared he would sign elsewhere.

Last week when the Eagles cut Trent Cole, they also planned to let Graham leave via free agency. They'd tried to reach new deals with both, but to no avail.

Just hours ago, CSN's Derrick Gunn reported that Graham was considering the Dolphins, Titans and Giants.

But Graham, who turns 27 next month, suddenly decided to return to the team that traded up to draft him with the 13th overall pick of the 2010 draft.

And he deserves every penny.

Graham started six games as a rookie before suffering a torn ACL late in the season. 

He returned midseason the following year but played in only three games.

He was a bright spot in the Eagles' dreadful 2012 season, contributing a career-high 5½ sacks, which tied him for the team lead.

He transitioned to the 3-4 defense the next year and, still in a reserve role, notched three sacks in his first season in the scheme.

And all the while, he had to listen to people yap about Seahawks super safety Earl Thomas, whom the Eagles passed over to draft him. Several times throughout his career, Graham's tenure with the Eagles appeared over.

Then last year, he proved why they should keep him. Despite starting only one game, he finished second on the team with 13½ tackles for loss, third with 18 QB hurries and fourth with 5½ sacks. He also finished third in the league with four forced fumbles.

And now, with the departure of Cole — who has yet to sign with anyone, so don't rule out his return — Graham should be a regular starter for the first time in his career. 

Graham returns to a defense bolstered by the additions of linebacker Kiko Alonso (acquired for LeSean McCoy) and cornerback Byron Maxwell.

At the moment, the Eagles' linebacking corps should consist of Graham and Connor Barwin on the outside and a combination of Mychal Kendricks, Alonso and DeMeco Ryans on the inside. The 30-year-old Ryans is still recovering from a torn Achilles, the second of his career.

What's next? The Eagles still need to add another cornerback and safety. And after Andy Reid brought Jeremy Maclin to Kansas City, they now need to find a No. 1 wide receiver (not much to choose from here)

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