Jimmy Graham Says He's 'Not Sure Yet' on NFL Retirement, Will Reach Out to Saints

Five-time Pro Bowl tight end Jimmy Graham is keeping the door open to playing in the NFL next season.

Speaking to ESPN's Katherine Terrell, Graham explained he's "not sure yet" when asked about retirement and he will speak with the New Orleans Saints to see what direction they want to go in.

"I'm gonna reach out to the Saints and figure out what's best, and then make the decision on when it's best for me to retire," Graham said.

There was speculation about Graham's future in March when he posted a message on Instagram that could have been interpreted as a retirement announcement:

"Things ended rather quickly after the season. I didn't have time to speak to the media and express my gratitude and heart for what New Orleans has meant to me. Thank you for taking a chance on a kid who many didn't believe could do it. In that jersey I have everything I had every day. I wish our time had been many more years but I'm grateful for every snap I was given."

Juwan Johnson, Foster Moreau, Taysom Hill, Dallin Holker, Michael Jacobson and Tommy Hudson are the tight ends currently on New Orleans' roster.

After sitting out the 2022 season, Graham returned to the NFL in July 2023 when he signed a one-year contract with the Saints. The deal brought him back to the organization where he spent the first five years of his career and had his best success as a pro.

Graham didn't have a huge role on the team, but four of his six receptions were touchdowns. He had a total of 39 receiving yards in 13 games.

The 37-year-old Graham was tied for the 12th-oldest player in the NFL last season. Marcedes Lewis, who turned 40 last month, was the only tight end older than him in the league.

Graham was originally a third-round draft pick by the Saints in 2010. His 1,310 receiving yards in 2011 were the second-most ever by a tight end in a single season at that time, trailing only Rob Gronkowski's mark of 1,327 done in the same year.

During the four-season period from 2011 to '14, Graham ranked second in the NFL with 46 receiving touchdowns and ninth with 4,396 receiving yards.

Graham also had stints with the Seattle Seahawks, Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears. He ranks fourth all-time among tight ends in receiving touchdowns (89) and eighth in receiving yards (8,545).