The Philadelphia Eagles are entering the 2025 campaign as the NFL’s defending champions after they took down the Kansas City Chiefs by a score of 40-22 in Super Bowl LIX. And yet, their quest to repeat as champs is going to be easier said than done, especially when considering how talented the NFC East is, with the Washington Commanders and Dallas Cowboys both appearing to pose a serious threat to them in their division.
Last season, the Eagles rivalry with the Commanders flared back up when the two teams clashed in the NFC Championship Game. It appears that rivalry will be carrying over the new season, as Philadelphia’s recently retired defensive lineman Brandon Graham recently took a shot at Washington’s new star wide receiver Deebo Samuel.
Brandon Graham Calls Out Deebo Samuel Ahead of 2025 Campaign
After winning a Super Bowl with the Eagles last season, Graham opted to call it a career after spending his entire 15-year career in Philly. During that time, Graham racked up 76.5 sacks while also earning a Pro Bowl selection in 2020, a spot on the All-Pro Second Team in 2016, and a pair of championships as well.
The Commanders responded to falling short against Graham and the Eagles by swinging a trade with the San Francisco 49ers for Samuel. At his best, Samuel is one of the top playmakers in the NFL, but he struggled to generate much production in the Niners injury-plagued offense last season. Samuel’s numbers in 2024 were still solid (51 catches, 670 yards, three touchdowns), but Washington will be looking for him to put together a better year in 2025.
Pairing Samuel up with another star wide receiver, Terry McLaurin, gives the Commanders a scary duo for second-year quarterback Jayden Daniels to throw to on offense, but Graham doesn’t appear to be all that worried about this duo, particularly Samuel. The Eagles legend said that Samuel has to get in shape in order for his former squad to actually be concerned about him.
“It’s gonna be between us two,” Graham said of Philadelphia and Washington in a video captured by YouTuber Janky Rondo (who is a die-hard Commanders fan). “I wouldn’t worry about (Samuel), he gotta be in shape first. He don’t look like he in shape right now.”
Should Eagles be Concerned About Commanders’ Deebo Samuel Trade?
GettyWashington Commanders wide receiver Deebo Samuel.
Washington did well to find their way to the NFC Championship Game last season, but they were ultimately blown out 55-23 by Philadelphia, signifying that there is quite a large gap between these two squads. The addition of Samuel could surely help them close that gap, but Graham doesn’t believe that Samuel is fully ready for the start of the season, although it is worth noting that it is only June.
Beyond that, the Commanders have a contract situation with McLaurin that they need to sort out before the start of the season. The Eagles roster endured some turnover this offseason, with guys like Graham leaving, but they are still the champs until proven otherwise, and it remains to be seen whether or not Samuel’s addition is what the Commanders need to put themselves in the same category as their longtime rival.
