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CRÊME PHILADELPHIA – Brandon Graham is particularly qualified to comment on the situation of The Veon Bell.
Bell, the Steelers running back, has not played this season for Pittsburgh despite a long-term contract. We do not know if he will report at all. Bell is on the verge of becoming a free agent this season and has chosen not to sign a $ 14.5 million franchise label without a long-term commitment.
Graham, the longtime Eagles defenseman, is also in the middle of a contract year. He is not at Bell's level, but he remains one of the most valuable players in Eagles defense and wants a new contract.
He just plays through that anyway. Graham evoked all of this – his contract, Bell's situation – during a radio show aired on 94WIP on Monday night.
"For me, I just thought I like football, I'm going to play and have fun," Graham said. "This is my ninth season, I just won the Super Bowl and it's the last year of my contract … I just want to be sure to be in my last season, if that's the case, with the Eagles and say that I maximized, I had fun. "
As for Bell, Graham said that he "100%" thinks the Steelers star is doing the right thing.
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"It's just a different situation for me because of my position in my career," Graham said. "This is his first contract, or the second that is coming in. In this position, I feel where he came from because I'm 30, this is my ninth season, I'm about to leave in probably five years old, so I think it's just a different situation for me … I just think that everything that's going to happen to me is going to be there anyway so come and enjoy your last year – if that's the case is it going to be – in Philly. "
In the defensive end, Graham plays a position at a premium in the NFL. Even though he's currently not having his best season right now – he underwent an ankle surgery in the off-season and missed most training camps and all pre-season – with only 1.5 bags, but it has proven itself. Defensive purposes are paid.
Even if it is not with the Eagles, Graham will probably still have a big salary this season.
For Bell, he's in a running position – which has traditionally been shorter in the NFL and has generally been devalued. At its best, Bell is one of the NFL's most prestigious offensive weapons and he wants to be paid accordingly. Graham understands that.
"I think he's making the right decision because he's a great player," Graham told 94WIP. "I just think he's just standing up because I've seen a lot of players play during the last year of their contract and get hurt, and then that contract is taken out of them."
"He wants his money," added Graham.
With respect to Graham's contractual situation, it does not appear that a resolution is imminent.
The Eagles will have a hard decision to make as they have limited salary cap space projected in 2019 with Graham, Ronald Darby, Jordan Hicks and Jay Ajayi all ready to become free agents.
In the end, if the Eagles decide to invest to bring Graham back into the fold at the approach of his 31 years, it probably will not happen for quite some time.
Graham is also prepared for the other possibility.
"I know I'm 30 and, God willing, I have five years left" playing football, Graham said. "I think, for me, I would like to be here, but I understand … I'm at peace with everything that happens because I understand it."
Zack Rosenblatt can be contacted at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @ZackBlatt. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
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