Ex-Seahawks $40 Million Pro Bowl Playmaker’s 3-Word Message on Retiring

A former Seattle Seahawks five-time Pro Bowler is calling it a career. Seahawks general manager John Schneider shocked the NFL by trading for Jimmy Graham in a blockbuster deal back on March 10, 2015.

Seattle traded multiple draft picks as well as center Max Unger in a trade that was met with mixed reviews. Now, Graham is officially retiring from the NFL.

Graham played three seasons for the Seahawks from 2015 through 2017 on a four-year, $40 million contract before joining the Green Bay Packers. The tight end last played for the New Orleans Saints in 2023 and now plans to officially retire with the franchise.

“Former @Saints great @TheJimmyGraham says he plans to officially retire this year from the NFL, fittingly as a Saint,” Saints.com’s John DeShazier revealed in a July 22, 2025, message on X.

“Pretty sure he’ll be in the Saints HOF and Ring of Honor, and can make a strong case for the Pro Football HOF. What a ride, what a life for Graham.”

Graham confirmed the news with a three-word response on social media.

“What a journey 🙏🏽🖤💛,” Graham noted in a July 22, message on X.

Former Seahawks TE Jimmy Graham Set a World Record by Rowing the Arctic Ocean

Graham may no longer be catching touchdowns, but the former tight end is still competing. The longtime playmaker just set a world record by rowing the Arctic Ocean in 10 days.

“New Orleans Saints legend Jimmy Graham and the rowing team have completed the Arctic Challenge in a little over 10 days, rowing over 584 nautical miles,” Saints.com’s Andrew Lang wrote in a July 15, 2025, story titled, “Jimmy Graham and rowing team complete the Arctic Challenge, rowing 584 miles in 10 days.”

“The team of four including Graham, Andrew Tropp, Hannah Huppi and John Huppi broke the previous record for a team of four of 15 days, 5 hours and 32 minutes, set by Ocean Revival in 2023,” Lang added.

“The team set a number of firsts by completing this voyage: being the first mixed-gender team of four to row across the Arctic Ocean, as well as being the first all-American team to row across a polar ocean. Graham is the first black person to row a polar ocean while Hannah Huppi is the first American woman to row a polar ocean.”

Acquiring Jimmy Graham Is One of Several Controversial Trades Made by Seahawks GM John Schneider

Graham’s best season with the Seahawks came in 2016 when the tight end posted 65 catches for 923 yards and six touchdowns during 16 appearances in 2016. As evidenced by Graham’s acquisition, Schneider has shown a willingness to strike blockbuster trades during his tenure in the Pacific Northwest.

Deals for Graham, Percy Harvin and Jamal Adams did not go quite as planned with the players’ production not living up to what Seattle gave up in the trades. Former Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll spoke glowingly about Graham throughout his time in Seattle.

“Oh, I love him on our team,” Carroll said in 2015, per The News Tribune’s Gregg Bell. “I love him. He’s a terrific teammate. He brings character and personality to our team.

“He’s a dynamic player. I can only see for really cool things to happen in our future. That is a great, long-term decision that we made. We are happy to have him. Miss the heck out of them.”