Former Seahawks TE Jimmy Graham to officially retire

Jimmy Graham is ready to hang up his cleats after a 13-year NFL career, which included three with the Seattle Seahawks.

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John DeShazier, senior writer for the New Orleans Saints’ official website, reported Tuesday that the 38-year-old tight end “plans to officially retire this year from the NFL, fittingly as a Saint.” Graham played six seasons with New Orleans, including his first five as a pro, and three of his five Pro Bowl nominations came with the Saints.

Graham confirmed DeShazier’s report with a post on social media.

What a journey 🙏🏽🖤💛 https://t.co/X0z96EUfdy

— Jimmy Graham (@TheJimmyGraham) July 22, 2025

After a wildly successful tenure with New Orleans, Graham came to the Seahawks in a massive trade in 2015 that included Pro Bowl center Max Unger going from Seattle to the Saints.

Graham was a two-time Pro Bowler in his three years with the Seahawks, and he is unquestionably the best pass-catching tight end in franchise history. Though his 43 games for Seattle ranks just 15th among tight ends in Seahawks history, he is the franchise leader at the position in receiving yards (2,048), receptions (170), receiving yards per game (47.6) and touchdown receptions (18).

Just toss it up to JIMMY! 🙌@DangeRussWilson ➡️ @TheJimmyGraham for a @Seahawks TD! #SEAvsAZ #12North #Seahawks pic.twitter.com/ikHmhTjSdw

— NFL Canada (@NFLCanada) November 10, 2017

Still, Graham’s time with Seattle never seemed to live up to high expectations. His first season ended after 11 games with a torn patellar tendon, and with the team seemingly intent on him improving as a blocker, he was not as productive in the passing game for the Seahawks as he was for the Saints.

With New Orleans, Graham twice eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark as well as led the NFL in 2013 with 16 touchdown receptions.

Graham left the Seahawks in free agency in 2018, after which he spent two seasons each with the Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears. He did not play in 2022, then returned to the Saints in 2023, catching four touchdowns on just six receptions (seven targets) and 39 yards in 13 games. He again did not play in 2024.

Prior to being drafted by the Saints in the third round of the 2010 NFL Draft, the 6-foot-8 Graham played four seasons of college basketball and just one of football for the Miami Hurricanes.

Graham was in the news last week as part of a four-person rowing team that finished “The Arctic Challenge,” a rowing expedition across the Arctic Ocean, in a world record time of 10 days and 5 hours.

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