Three words on social media sent shockwaves across the NFL involving the New Orleans Saints: Guess Who’s Back?
Not only a franchise legend but five-time Pro Bowler Jimmy Graham is making a stunning return to the Bayou.
Guess who's back?
😃 @TheJimmyGraham#Saints pic.twitter.com/yQnEtbFoNt
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) July 25, 2023
How Old Is Jimmy Graham?
Graham, who agreed to a one-year deal with New Orleans on Tuesday, will be 36 the moment he steps back into Saints training camp and will turn 37 in November.
Out of the league since 2021, Graham is attempting a league comeback. He was last seen catching 14 passes for 167 yards and scoring three touchdowns with the Chicago Bears.
However, turns out Graham sent out an early tease about the Saints on June 19 — responding to one fan’s highlight clip by saying how much he loved playing in the Superdome.
Loved that stadium 🖤 https://t.co/8GEYgeOAIq
— Jimmy Graham (@TheJimmyGraham) June 19, 2023
Graham Rewrote Saints History Books
Graham himself confirmed that he’s indeed back in front of “Who Dat” nation by posting a picture of his famed touchdown celebration that became revered among Saints fans.
@Saints 😤 pic.twitter.com/H910eNajgb
— Jimmy Graham (@TheJimmyGraham) July 25, 2023
He even showed some Undertaker vibes in a gif, explaining his NFL resurrection. The Saints also went back to the archives for this famous moment in franchise lore: The night he bent the goal post in Atlanta following his touchdown celebration.
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) July 25, 2023
But once he arrived to New Orleans out of the third round of the 2010 NFL Draft, Graham began to rewrite the history books for Saints tight ends.
Graham’s 386 career receptions in a Saints uniform is a franchise record. The 4,752 yards he tallied is another franchise-best mark. Additionally, his 51 trips to the end zone is one more New Orleans record he pulled off.
Saints fans likely remember Graham’s breakout second season in the league — setting off the indicator that he was going to dominate in the NFL. The towering 6’7″ tight end snatched 99 receptions for 1,310 yards and 11 touchdowns…all leading to his first Pro Bowl season.
Graham stayed dominant from there with another franchise legend feeding him the ball in quarterback Drew Brees. The former Miami Hurricanes TE went on to produce three consecutive 80-catch seasons from 2012 to 2014 and even led the league with 16 touchdowns receptions in 2013.
During the 2015 offseason, New Orleans ultimately traded Graham away to the Seattle Seahawks. Graham, however, was limited to 11 starts and only mustered 48 receptions for 605 yards and two touchdowns. He did earn two more Pro Bowl appearances in the Pacific Northwest, though — which came in 2016 and 2017 by catching a combined 122 receptions for 1,443 yards and 16 touchdowns.
Following the ‘Hawks, Graham spent 2018 and 2019 with the Green Bay Packers, then his next two seasons with the Bears.
Who’s Now in the Saints’ TE Room With the Franchise Legend?
This time, Graham will be the elder statesman of a TE room that now has seven options during training camp. Before his re-arrival, Jesse James was considered the 6’7″ option and oldest member of the room as a nine-year veteran. Now Graham takes over as the oldest.
The Saints, though, have one renowned versatile option officially joining the tight ends: Taysom Hill, New Orleans’ longtime backup quarterback but part-time wide receiver and running back.
The Saints also have Foster Moreau on board, which gives new quarterback Derek Carr some familiarity on offense as the two were past Las Vegas Raiders teammates.
Lucas Krull (2022 undrafted rookie), fourth-year veteran Juwan Johnson, and 2021 UDFA Miller Forristall round out the rest of the tight end teammates who will soon run routes with Graham during camp.
After his signing, Graham took to social media to share how he can’t wait to see Saints fans at camp and inside the Superdome.
“Can’t wait to see y’all at Training Camp & in the Dome. Love you guys!”
–@TheJimmyGraham on being back with the #Saints 👏 pic.twitter.com/DTGWjMmhRs
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) July 25, 2023
