Jimmy Graham Plans to Retire from NFL as Member of Saints, TE Made 5 Pro Bowls

One of the best NFL tight ends in recent memory is officially calling it a career.

Jimmy Graham confirmed on Tuesday that he's retiring from the NFL as a member of the New Orleans Saints. The five-time Pro Bowler played 13 seasons from 2010 to 2023.

Graham began his career with the Saints as a third-round pick in the 2010 draft, and he quickly established himself as one of the best tight ends in the league, thanks in large part to his connection with future Hall of Fame quarterback Drew Brees. He was selected to his first Pro Bowl and was named second-team All-Pro in 2011 after recording career highs of 99 catches and 1,310 receiving yards. In 2013, he was named first-team All-Pro after producing 86 receptions for 1,215 yards and a league-high 16 touchdowns.

The Saints traded Graham to the Seattle Seahawks in 2015. In just three seasons in the Pacific Northwest, he set Seahawks franchise records for the most receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns by a tight end.

Graham also had stints with the Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears. After spending the 2022 season away from football, he returned to the Saints for the 2023 season and appeared in 13 games while catching four touchdowns.

The 38-year-old finished with career numbers of 719 catches, 8,545 receiving yards and 89 receiving touchdowns, the latter of which ranks fourth all-time among NFL tight ends. He should get a call from the Pro Football Hall of Fame in a few years following his stellar career.