Jimmy Graham returned to NFL action last season, doing so where his decorated career began. Another Saints season is a possibility for the veteran tight end, but whether he plays or retires in 2024 will depend on how the team proceeds.

The 37-year-old made 13 appearances last season, his sixth in New Orleans and first since 2014. Graham saw a career-low snap percentage (19%s), though, and he made only six catches during the year. While four of those were touchdowns, a similar workload would likely await him if he elected to continue playing in 2024.

Graham posted what appeared to be a farewell message to the Saints in March. That stopped short of a retirement announcement, however, and nothing has appeared to change on that front. The five-time Pro Bowler has plans for the offseason – including being a member of a team attempting to break the world record for the fastest time rowing across the Arctic Ocean – but he is still open to playing another year in New Orleans.

“I’m gonna reach out to the Saints and figure out what’s best, and then make the decision on when it’s best for me to retire,” Graham said (via ESPN’s Katherine Terrell). “I don’t have any expectations. I just want to make sure when I retire, it’s as a Saint, and it’s when they want me to. I’ll just make sure I give them a call and see exactly when they want me to retire and then I’ll end up doing it.”

While those comments point even further to Graham’s playing days being done, New Orleans could be shorthanded at the tight end position to begin the season. Juwan Johnson is facing a multi-week absence following foot surgery, and his Week 1 availability is now in question. The Saints have other replacement options on the books, but Graham could provide the team with an experienced red zone threat if they were open to a new deal.

If no such agreement is reached, though, Graham’s career will end with top-10 rankings amongst tight ends in a number of all-time statistical categories. He has amassed over $82MM in earnings, but it remains to be seen if that total will increase in 2024.

Jimmy Graham returned to the Saints on a one-year deal last summer. That came amongst speculation his career was over since he sat out the previous campaign, and once again his playing future is in question.

Graham posted a lengthy message on Instragram Friday. While it stops short of declaring his retirement, the decorated tight end used it to reflect on his time in the NFL, particularly his two separate stints in New Orleans. Graham, 37, is a free agent but it remains to be seen if he will suit up for the 2024 campaign.

“To the city of New Orleans, there are no words to fully express my appreciation for your unwavering support,” Graham’s statement reads in part. “Playing for this city was an honor that transcended the game of football. It was never just about the sport or a paycheck. It was about being part of a community that breathes and lives for football, a community that finds joy, solace and unity in the game.”

After entering the league in 2010, the former third-rounder quickly established himself as one of the league’s top tight ends. Graham earned three Pro Bowl invitations during his five-year stretch in New Orleans from 2010-14, along with a first-team All-Pro nod. The latter honor came in 2013, a season in which he totaled 1,215 yards and a league-leading 16 touchdown receptions.

Graham toured the NFC following the Saints’ decision to trade him. He spent three seasons with the Seahawks, followed by a pair of campaigns with the Packers and Bears. The Miami alum remained a starter and strong red zone threat through much of that time, but he sat out the 2022 season amidst interest from the Saints in a reunion. His low-cost New Orleans deal came after he decided to return to where his career began and put off retirement by at least one year in the process.

“As I look back, I am filled with pride for what we’ve accomplished together,” Graham added. “The city of New Orleans and the Saints organization have given me more than I could ever ask for. I hope I’ve been able to contribute to that legacy in some way.”

While the message notes Graham is “unsure of what the future holds,” his comments certainly suggest a retirement decision will be coming at some point this offseason. He played a small rotational role with the Saints last season, making just six catches (although four of them were touchdowns). The same would likely be true next campaign if he and the team were to reach agreement on another one-year pact.

Presuming Graham hangs up his cleats, his NFL career will end with a number of impressive statistical totals. He currently sits seventh on the all-time tight ends list for receptions (719), eighth in yards (8,545) and fourth in touchdowns (89). Graham has amassed over $82MM in career earnings.

Saints tight end Jimmy Graham was arrested last night in California, according to a statement from the team (via Twitter). TMZ Sports was first with the news. The Saints are currently in California preparing for tomorrow’s preseason game against the Chargers.

[RELATED: TE Jimmy Graham Addresses Saints Reunion]

In their statement, the Saints attributed the incident to a “medical episode.”

“New Orleans Saints tight end Jimmy Graham experienced a medical episode last evening, which resulted in him becoming disoriented,” according to the statement. “He was taken into custody by local authorities and transported to a local hospital for evaluation for what Dr. John Amoss believes to be a likely seizure and spent the night under medical supervision and testing. Amoss met Graham at the hospital and is overseeing his care at this time. He was released this morning and is with the team as they continue preparations for Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Chargers.”

Per the TMZ report, officers responded to a call regarding a “suspicious person acting erratically.” Police found Graham “wandering in traffic” near a Southern California resort, and when officers attempted to arrest the athlete, Graham resisted.

The NFL veteran was ultimately arrested for “suspicion of being under the influence of a controlled substance and resisting, delaying and obstructing a police officer.” Both of those charges are misdemeanors. Graham has since been released from custody and the incident is under investigation.

After going unsigned during the 2022 season, Graham signed a one-year deal with the Saints in late July. The deal reunited Graham with the franchise that selected him in the third round of the 2010 draft. The tight end ultimately spent five years in New Orleans, hauling in 51 touchdowns in 78 games. Graham has since had stints with the Seahawks, Packers, and Bears. He most recently got into 15 games (six starts) for Chicago in 2021, finishing with 14 catches for 167 yards and three scores.

Graham was already facing an uphill battle to make the Saints’ roster. The team already has three clear TEs atop the depth chart, including incumbent Juwan Johnson, free agent addition Foster Moreau, and Swiss Army Knife Taysom Hill. We’ll see how last night’s incident impacts his roster status.

Jimmy Graham‘s career appeared to be over when he sat out the 2022 campaign, but he began the comeback process last week when he signed a deal with the Saints. That reunion allowed the All-Pro tight end to return to where his career began, something he said was necessary for him to avoid retirement.

Graham signed for $1.3MM (just over the veteran minimum) to compete for a spot on New Orleans’ 53-man roster out of training gamp. That deal marked the culmination of a lengthy courtship process on the team’s part. The Saints discussed a reunion with Graham multiple times, including last year, as noted by ESPN’s Katherine Terrell. Their most recent efforts will allow the 36-year-old the opportunity to put off retirement for the time being.

“I had a couple of teams that were reaching out, all teams that made the playoffs,” Graham said, via Terrell. “I just couldn’t see myself wearing another jersey again. I just wanted, hopefully, if there was ever another opportunity to come back home, to make it happen. It did, and I’m here now… I talked to [agent] Jimmy Sexton and just made it clear if I don’t retire as a Saint, then I wasn’t going to play again.”

Graham spent his first five years in New Orleans, a stretch which included his two most productive campaigns (2011 and 2013). He earned three Pro Bowl nods and his lone first-team All-Pro acclaim with the Saints, before being traded to the Seahawks in 2015. The former third-rounder spent three years in Seattle before playing two years each with the Packers and Bears.

The end of his stint in Chicago appeared to mark the conclusion of Graham’s playing career, but mutual interest with the Saints obviously remained through his idle 2022 season. The team has a number of other options at the position (including Juwan Johnson, Foster Moreau and Taysom Hill), so Graham will need to demonstrate a continued ability to produce in the red zone in particular to turn his hopes of a Saints reunion into a reality. A strong season could help the team return to the playoffs, while allowing him to finish his career where it started.