Jimmy Graham cut by Packers, Hall of Fame waiting?

After two years, the Green Bay Packers released Jimmy Graham.

Graham, 33, wasn’t worth the $8 million cap savings for the Packers. Frankly, it had to be an easy choice for general manager Brian Gutekunst.

A New Orleans Saints star for the first five years of his career, Graham was dealt to the Seattle Seahawks. He went to Seattle in return for a first-round pick and Pro Bowl center Max Unger. In Seattle, Graham lasted three seasons before hitting the open market and signing a three-year, $30 million deal with the Packers.

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Now, in the apparent twilight of his career, two questions must be asked. One, will he be picked up by another team? Two, is he headed to the Hall of Fame when he’s done playing?

For the first question, the answer is almost certainly yes provided he wants to keep going. Graham played in all 16 games for Green Bay in 2019, catching 38 of his 60 targets for 447 yards and three touchdowns. Few front offices are going to be excited about adding those numbers. However, as a second tight end with some upside in the red zone, Graham is definitely worth a contract.

The second question is much tougher to answer, and much more fun to explore.

Graham had one of the greatest apexes of any tight end in NFL history. With the Saints, Graham recorded a pair of 1,000-yard seasons and notched 51 touchdowns in five seasons down in the Big Easy. In Seattle, Graham wasn’t as prolific but remained one of the elite red zone threats in the game, snatching 28 touchdowns during his time in the Emerald City.

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All told, Graham ranks seventh all-time for tight ends with 649 receptions. The players in front of him? Tony Gonzalez, Antonio Gates, Jason Witten, Shannon Sharpe, Ozzie Newsome and Greg Olsen. Outside of Olsen, the other five are either in the Hall of Fame or sure bets once eligible (Olsen could make it, but he’s not a slam dunk). In terms of yardage, Graham’s 7,883 yards rank eight at the position, again trailing Hall of Famers are certain future ones outside of Olsen.

If Graham can have two more decent campaigns and give himself 700 catches and 9,000 yards, it’ll be hard to hold him out of the Hall.

For now, though, Graham is simply looking for what will be his fourth — and likely final — stop in the NFL. It’ll be fascinating to see how his market develops, and if he can finally land his long-awaited Super Bowl ring.