“The Core Four! Is that all the old guys?” ~ Jason Kelce
Not old, Jason.
Experienced!
Also, unique.
There are currently only 21 players in the NFL who have 10 years experience with only one team.
Only one team has four!
The Eagles, and their “Core Four”
They are; Bandon Graham, Jason Kelce, Fletcher Cox, and the newest member, Lane Johnson.
Each has their own unique journey with the Eagles, but they also share the same goal, to be leaders.
To give back and become mentors to the next generation of players.
To teach the younger guys what it means to be, and how to represent the Philadelphia Eagles.
And, to go out on top!
Not just for themselves.
For their teammates who became brothers, and are now family.
For their coaches, and everyone in the front office who drafted and believed in them.
For you, their fans.
For you, Philadelphia!
As Brandon Graham told me
“We are going to win one more for y’all”
The Core Four:
Brandon Graham
Heading into his 14th season with the Eagles, Brandon is the elder statesman.
The current longest-tenured Philadelphia Eagle.
He’s also the longest-tenured professional athlete in the entire city.
He’s the guy who has moved on from last year’s Super Bowl and is looking forward to the future.
“Last year is last year and we’re trying to create something special this year. Our focus is on what we’re doing now and I know we are all excited about getting it going.”
He is also the player who knows his time in the NFL won’t last forever
“I’m soaking it all up one day at a time. I’m more so trying to finish the deal on this season. We’ll talk more as that goes, but I’m trying to stop time as much as I can.”
Brandon wants to leave behind a legacy, like his mentor Trent Cole, who he credits for showing him the “Eagle Way”.
He patterned his routines and work ethic after Trent, and he is paying it forward.
“It’s just showing them how to practice. You’ve got to make sure you bring it every day. Some days, you don’t have it. You’ve got to make sure you can talk about it and tell people, ‘I need you. Finish the practice the right way.’ It’s more how we carry ourselves every day, our regimen.”
Graham has accepted that at age 35, he will play fewer snaps, but as he showed last year, he can be just as productive.
He is known for always wearing a smile and for sharing good-natured smack talk, but he also is known for putting in the work.
“I told the guys to make sure you have fun when it’s time to have it, but when we’re between those lines or in those meetings, let’s make it about what we do well so we can carry out that game plan.”
Despite making, arguably, the biggest play in Eagles history during the Super Bowl era, he wants more.
His love of the game, desire, and passion to win are fueling another NFL grind.
“The team that we have right now. So lucky, so fortunate to be on this team.”
And the team is lucky to have you.
Jason Kelce
The 6x Pro Bowler enters year 13 having started 139 straight games.
Kelce is only second in Eagles history to Jon Runyan had 144.
Jason also holds the second-longest streak in the NFL, the first is held by Atlanta OT Jake Matthews who, coincidentally, has 144 starts.
But what matters to him is the relationships he created during that streak, not the streak itself.
“We played a lot of football together. We know each other very well. We’ve been through a lot of battles. It’s really rare that many guys get to play together for over a decade.”
The four also share the desire to be the best.
The former Eagles General Manager, Joe Banner, stated that in addition to being the best individually, they share the desire to be a part of a team that is the best as well.
“There’s a very fundamental thing they have in common, in addition to being talented players. That’s the reason they have been on the team as long as they have and why they are not just good players but people that have elevated the whole roster.”
Jason takes that part of his job seriously, he exudes what it is to be a Philadelphia Eagle.
Lane Johnson describes Jason as the “nucleus” of their team.
“With how he plays, with his emotions and passion for the game, it bleeds into everything we’ve been trying to do here for years with the culture.”
Teammate, and fellow offensive lineman, Jordan Mailata concurs.
Jordan has a picture of Kelce wearing the Batman Mask as the wallpaper on his phone.
“Fat Batman is a true leader”
Teaching and inspiring the next generation is essential to Kelce.
For his teammates and his children.
I know, it has become redundant to read the next statement as much as it has to type.
This same feeling of paying it forward is shared by all four.
Yet, in the back of Jason’s mind, he knows that his time mentoring and teaching will soon be coming to an end, as well as his time playing in the NFL.
But it does not consume his thoughts.
“Maybe three years ago, it was on my mind quite a bit. I’ve learned now that I don’t know when that last game is going to come, so maybe I think about it a little bit less.”
So, like the rest of the team, Jason “Keeps the main thing, the main thing” and focuses on the here and now.
Which is to win a second Championship.
But alas, he will take it one day at a time and stay focused on the process.
“It’s always a chance that that’s going to be the situation, but you just try to think about the game and focus on taking in the moment and being 100 percent there. It’s hard enough doing it that way. It’s going to be a lot harder if you’re not focused.”
Fletcher Cox
Many thought that last season would prove to be Fletcher’s swansong with the Eagles but the 6 x Pro Bowler is back in Philly for his 12th season.
Back with his longtime teammate and friend, Brandon Graham.
“I tell a lot of people, I feel like me and B.G. have been married for 11 years now. Some of the things he does, it’s just second nature.”
Sharing laughs and fun stories is second nature with them too.
They share lockers next to one another and Fletch shared that not too long ago he reminded B.G. to brush his teeth.
Always laughing, but also putting in the work and giving back.
Passing the torch is a theme all of the Core-Four share, and Cox has been spending a lot of his time with rookie extraordinaire, Jalen Carter.
Carter described what Fletch has meant to him.
“Fletch is a very good guy. He talks to me every day, calls me. Even when we’re on break, he was calling me every day, checking on my weight. He’s been doing that ever since.” ~ Jalen Carter describing the mentorship Fletch has provided.
Cox also plays the role of mentor to all of the young players.
“Just try to stay on your same routine. It’s going to be hard, but don’t change nothing. I just try to tell the guys just remain the same.”
Great advice from the best DT of this millennium.
Maybe ever.
Fletcher also echoed the sentiments of his friend and teammate in regards to playing another year together, and with this team.
“It means a lot. I’ve been cherishing every moment, just soaking it all in, just letting all the guys know, ‘Hey, we got a chance to do something special.’ We really do.”
Lane Johnson
The youngest and newest member of the double-digit club is none other than, Pave the Lane Johnson.
Entering his 11th season, this 4x Pro Bowler has not allowed a sack since 2020.
Wow.
Let me state that again.
Eagles right tackle Lane Johnson hasn’t given up a sack since Nov. 22, 2020.
Just incredible.
Humble as always, Lane shares the credit for developing the foundation and that of his success with others.
“I remember I came in my rookie year, JP (Jason Peters) was 32, 33 and I see how he’s first in every drill, how he’s running from drill to drill, so those guys set the example for me.”
Not only did they show him how he wanted to play, but how to have success and longevity in the NFL.
I think if you look at the guys who played here before us, for me, Runyan, Tra Thomas, Jason Peters. I see guys like, Whitworth, Trent Williams, those guys pushing into their late 30s, early 40s. That’s my motivation.”
Lane also credits former teammate and friend Brandon Brooks for helping him in his struggle with mental health.
Not only has he opened up in regards to his battle, but now he is helping others in a lot of ways, including his MentalHealthMonday tweets of encouragement..
On the field, Lane continues to motivate others while passing on the values that he has learned to keep the long tradition of O-Line excellence in Philadelphia intact.
Landon Dickerson, Cam Jurgens, and Jordan Mailata all watch and learn from Lane and Kelce every day.
A wealth of knowledge from them and the other players, along with Coach Stoutland, is a resource that most organizations just do not have.
A brotherhood.
The bonds and friendships they have will last long after football.
And Lane appreciates every minute with them.
“What an incredible ride it’s been. Kelce, Fletch, and BG. Not a lot of players get to experience it with the core group of guys like this. I’m thankful to be with these guys.”
Lane is entering the season healthy, and he’s happy that he put the surgery(both groins) in his rearview mirror early in the offseason.
He’s focused and ready to tackle the task at hand.
“For us, it’s just to maintain focus on the here and the now and what’s in front of us. I think it just goes down to execution.”
He’s also grateful to be doing it with his friends.
“I’m thankful to be with these guys. I know how much it means to them. They don’t have to say anything. I’ve been around them all these years.”
It means everything to us too.
I’m not crying, you are.
Core Facts
There are currently only 21 players in the NFL who have 10 years experience with only one team.
The Eagles are the only team with four.
All 4 will be Philadelphia Eagle Hall of Famers.
At least 2 of them could be NFL Hall of Famers.
Kelce and Lane are still playing at an All-Pro level.
B.G. just had the most sacks of his career (11) at age 34.
Cox contributed 7 sacks(his most since 2018) )and stellar line play while in a heavy rotation.
All 4 are Super Bowl Champions.
The Core-Four represents the Eagle’s core value.
Building through the trenches.
I hope to add a storybook ending to this piece in February.
2x Super Bowl Champions.
Praise For the Core-Four:
“When I first got the job here, I wasn’t like other first-year head coaches. Why I said that was because I had these unbelievable players that have been to the mountaintop, that have played in this league for 10-plus year. Two on the offensive line, two on the defensive line. Knowing what it takes to be successful, knowing the wins that they’ve had, that’s obviously a huge advantage for our football team.” ~ Eagles Head Coach Nick Sirianni
“They’re definitely guys we can lean on their experience. Experience is the biggest teacher. Having those guys around is definitely beneficial.’’ ~ Jalen Hurts