The longest-tenured Philly Athletes after Brandon Graham’s retirement

With Brandon Graham officially calling it a career, Philly lost one of its greatest Eagles—and the city’s longest-tenured athlete across all four major teams.

Brandon Graham Retires…

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Now that BG54 is riding off into the sunset, a new name takes the top spot on the Philly sports seniority list. So, who’s been here the longest? Let’s break it down.

1) Sean Couturier, 32 – Flyers (13 Seasons, Since 2011)

Couturier came in as an 18-year-old defensive phenom in 2011 and made an immediate impact by shutting down Evgeni Malkin in the 2012 playoffs.

Since then, he’s cemented himself as one of the best two-way forwards in the NHL, battled back from serious injuries, and now wears the captain’s “C” as he tries to lead the Flyers through their rebuild. His long-term contract keeps him in Philly for the foreseeable future.

2) Lane Johnson, 34 – Eagles (12 Seasons, Since 2013)

Brandon Graham’s retirement makes Lane Johnson the longest-tenured Eagle, and he’s still playing at an elite level.

One of the best right tackles in football, Johnson just signed an extension to keep him in Philly. He’s been an anchor on the offensive line for over a decade, and as long as his body holds up, he’s not going anywhere.

Lane Johnson after Brandon Graham Retires:

Don't worry I got y'all!@brandongraham55 @fcoxx_91 @JasonKelce pic.twitter.com/7x3yLc502n

— Lane Johnson (@LaneJohnson65) March 18, 2025

3) Aaron Nola, 31 – Phillies (11 Seasons, Since 2015)

Nola has been through it all—from the dark days of Phillies’ mediocrity to the team’s resurgence as a contender.

He’s the last Phillie standing from the pre-Bryce Harper days and just signed a seven-year deal to stick around. His role hasn’t changed—he’s still one of the most important arms in the rotation.

4) Joel Embiid, 31 – Sixers (9 Seasons, Since 2016, Drafted in 2014)

Embiid has been the face of the Sixers for nearly a decade, but his future is suddenly clouded with uncertainty. Constant knee issues, postseason heartbreak, and a roster that keeps changing around him raise serious questions about whether he’ll be here for the long haul. He’s still under contract, but how much longer can he carry this team?

5) Travis Konecny, 28 – Flyers (9 Seasons, Since 2016)

Konecny came in as a complementary piece during the Claude Giroux era but has grown into a fiery leader on a rebuilding Flyers team. He signed an extension this past summer because he wants to be here when the Flyers turn the corner. Whether they actually do or not is another story.

6) Jake Elliott, 30 – Eagles (8 Seasons, Since 2017)

Elliott has been one of the NFL’s most reliable kickers since his legendary 61-yard game-winner against the Giants in 2017. He had some struggles last year, but when it mattered most, he delivered. As long as he stays consistent, he’ll keep his job for years to come.

7) Travis Sanheim, 28 – Flyers (8 Seasons, Since 2017)

Sanheim is the last remaining piece of what was once supposed to be the Flyers’ next great young defensive core. Now, he’s their top defenseman and one of the few veterans leading the rebuild.

8) Ranger Suárez, 29 – Phillies (8 Seasons, Since 2018)

Suárez took a while to settle into a full-time rotation role, but once he did, he became a key piece of the Phillies’ staff. He started 10-1 last season before injuries slowed him down. This year, he’s looking to get back to that dominant form.

9) Dallas Goedert, 30 – Eagles (7 Seasons, Since 2018)

Goedert took over as TE1 after Zach Ertz left, but his future in Philly is uncertain. With the Eagles stacking up tight end depth and Goedert on the last year of his deal, there’s a real chance he won’t be on this list for long.

10) Jordan Mailata, 27 – Eagles (5 Seasons, Since 2020, Drafted in 2018)

Mailata didn’t actually play until 2020, but since then, his rise has been ridiculous. From a raw rugby player to one of the NFL’s best left tackles, Mailata has solidified himself as a cornerstone of the Eagles’ offensive line.

11) Bryce Harper, 32 – Phillies (7 Seasons, Since 2019)

Aaron Nola has been in Philly longer, but make no mistake—this is Bryce Harper’s team. Since arriving in 2019, Harper has been an MVP, a World Series hero, and the heart of the Phillies’ lineup.

The Phillies haven’t won it all yet, but they’re still in the chase, and Harper isn’t going anywhere.

12) J.T. Realmuto, 34 – Phillies (7 Seasons, Since 2019)

Realmuto has been one of baseball’s best catchers since arriving in Philly, but at 34 years old, his future with the team is uncertain. His contract is winding down, and while he’s still elite defensively, the Phillies will eventually have to decide what’s next behind the plate.

Phillies send Garrett Stubbs to Triple-A, hand backup catcher role to Rafael Marchán

The New Era of Philly Sports Veterans

With Brandon Graham stepping away, Sean Couturier now takes over as the longest-tenured athlete in the city, with Lane Johnson, Aaron Nola, and Joel Embiid not far behind. But with aging stars and contract years approaching, this list is going to keep changing fast. In a few years, we might be looking at an entirely new group leading Philly’s sports scene.

Thanks for everything, Brandon Graham. Forever an Eagles legend!

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