Brandon Graham among three Eagles players named to 2021 Pro Bowl roster

The NFL revealed their 2021 Pro Bowl rosters on Monday evening and a total of three Philadelphia Eagles players made the final cut.

Fletcher Cox — Defensive tackle — 6th Pro Bowl selection

Jason Kelce — Center — 4th Pro Bowl selection

Brandon Graham — Defensive end — 1st Pro Bowl selection

Some thoughts on the news:

• The Eagles had five Pro Bowl players when they were 7-7 last year. They only had three when they were 7-7 in 2018. They have three despite being 4-9-1 right now.
• Cox making the Pro Bowl last year felt based on reputation more so than merit. I was tempted to say the same this year, then, but I didn’t realize that he actually ranks second among NFC 4-3 defensive tackles in both sacks (6.5) and tackles for loss (11). Not really a no-brainer name left off that should be in over him.
• Reggie White is the Eagles’ franchise leader in consecutive Pro Bowl berths with seven. Cox is now right behind him with six.
• Kelce is Pro Football Focus’s eighth highest graded overall center and fourth highest graded NFC center. He’s been the only constant on the Eagles’ ever-changing offensive line this year.
• One has to wonder if this will be Kelce’s last Pro Bowl. He’s given weight to retiring in the past and he turned 33 years old last month. And it’s not exactly like the Eagles have a bright future ahead of them.
• Everyone should be so, so happy that Graham made the Pro Bowl for the first time in his career. He’s an all-time Eagle and this achievement only helps to further cement his legacy. It’s a shame how Graham has cooled down after a hot start with seven sacks in his first eight eight games and none since. But shut up because BLG deserves this.

• Reaction from Graham via PhiladelphiaEagles.com:

“This is that much more special to me because I know how much work was put in years before and even this year, knowing that my time is almost running out. It’s on me to go out and do it. We went out there and did it. [...] I got a real level of appreciation for making it because I know it’s not easy. You know, being an alternate is cool, but you have to hope that people back out. For this one to be outright, in a year where there’s no alternates because there’s no game because of COVID, to get that call, I really appreciate this,” Graham said. “We worked our butts off this whole offseason and during the season. To get that call is going to boost me even more for the next two games to try to go make it happen and get into these playoffs.”

• Cox, Kelce, and Graham were all drafted when Andy Reid was still the Eagles’ head coach and had input on player personnel.
• Howie Roseman has drafted one Pro Bowler since 2014: Carson Wentz. Who is currently the team’s backup quarterback.
• There’s obviously no actual Pro Bowl game this year due to the pandemic we’re still living in. Instead, the NFL is “working with EA Sports to create a week-long series of matchups featuring celebrities, NFL Legends, current players and streamers playing the official Pro Bowl rosters on Madden NFL 21. The week culminates in a virtual Pro Bowl game with 2021 Pro Bowl players playing within Madden, which will be available for fans to watch across a variety of platforms.”
• Full NFC and AFC Pro Bowl rosters can be viewed here.