Eagles’ Graham Planning Holdout

PHILADELPHIA (973espn.com) - Eagles defensive end Brandon Graham has reportedly stopped attending team workouts and is planning to skip organized team activities later this month, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer.

Since OTAs are technically voluntary the real test is mandatory minicamp in June and Graham may skip that as well in an effort to get Philadelphia to renegotiate his current contract.

Graham signed a four-year, $26 million contract in 2015 and is set to earn $6.5 million in 2017 as well as 2018, significant money but after a second-team All-Pro season and the realization that backup Vinny Curry is set to make more after signing an extension last offseason, Graham is striking when his value is highest.

Jeff McLane of the Inquirer reached Graham by text message on Wednesday and the Michigan product declined to address his absence at voluntary work and potential holdout.

“Can’t talk about contract stuff right now,” Graham wrote.

Graham was present for the first part of voluntary work and met with reporters but made no mention of his contract issues.

The Eagles added veteran Chris Long in free agency and drafted Derek Barnett in the first round to play opposite Graham on Jim Schwartz's defensive line. Curry, meanwhile, is penciled in as the backup to Graham on the strong side so the awkwardness from a salary standpoint is obvious.

-John McMullen covers the Eagles and the NFL for 973espn.com. You can reach him at jmcmullen44@gmail.com or on Twitter @JFMcMullen