Wow: the New Orleans Saints shook their fanbase — and many outside observers on social media — by announcing a one-year deal with tight end Jimmy Graham on Tuesday, just before the start of training camp. Graham rose to prominence with the Saints early in his career but had a falling-out with head coach Sean Payton that led to him being traded away in 2015. After sitting out of football in 2022, he’s returned to compete for a spot on their roster.
Reactions were varied, but largely celebratory. Here’s what everyone is saying in the wake of this unexpected news:
Jimmy Graham putting on the Saints uniform one last time pic.twitter.com/jjrl7bAYYJ
— Chris Rosvoglou (@RosvoglouReport) July 25, 2023
Y’all like my Jimmy Graham Saints jersey swap edit? pic.twitter.com/wUBpVl7aun
— Ross Jackson (@RossJacksonNOLA) July 25, 2023
Surprise news this morning. Tight End Jimmy Graham returning to league play, rejoining the #Saints on a 1-year deal, per team.
Graham played for New Orleans between 2010-2014.
Always fun seeing J.G. fly planes. pic.twitter.com/mwgxK9vYTU
— JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) July 25, 2023
Jimmy Graham is back to play for the Saints. A real reunion.
— Nick Underhill (@nick_underhill) July 25, 2023
Derek Carr threw two TDs to a 38-year-old Jason Witten in 2020. Jimmy is only 36 https://t.co/LWpzEiiCBz
— Evan Saacks (College World Series Champion) (@evansaacks) July 25, 2023
Jimmy don't even have to produce. Just nice to see him back in the B&G. That's one that legit hurt me
— Ryan (@datboywolf) July 25, 2023
This was one of my favorite and funniest moments covering a game. It delayed the game for 10-15 minutes and later inspired the Jimmy Graham/No Dunking rule https://t.co/5MUbaseKPd
— Katherine Terrell (@Kat_Terrell) July 25, 2023
A Jimmy Graham reunion with the Saints definitely wasn’t on my bingo card
— John Hendrix (@JohnJHendrix) July 25, 2023
I just had a vision of Pete making Taysom throw one of those stupid jump passes to Jimmy from the goal line and MY BODY IS SO READY
— Black & Gold Review (@BnGreview) July 25, 2023
Jimmy retiring as a Saints? 🥺
— Ryan (@datboywolf) July 25, 2023
Look man NOLA Jimmy Graham was on par to becoming one of the greatest receiving threats of our time at the position. Now bring him in to mentor Juwan Johnson. pic.twitter.com/k1R2A01XFW
— Al’s Toy Barn (@AlecSalas09) July 25, 2023
The last time Jimmy Graham played in the Superdome (playoffs 2020), he made this wild, one-handed TD as time expired, then immediately jogged into the tunnel.
It might not be his final play in that building after all. #Saints https://t.co/GjlpLTOd4H
— Jeff Nowak (@Jeff_Nowak) July 25, 2023
Me: Jimmy Graham washed as hell
Also me when Jimmy dunks the ball through the goalpost after his scoring his one TD in 2023: pic.twitter.com/bVXahmOdzL
— KEV. (@bucklezzzman) July 25, 2023
Was going to say that Jimmy Graham immediately contends for the best age-36 TE season of all time
… but Tony Gonzalez posted 93 receptions for 930 yards and 8 TDs as a 36-year old
— Josh Norris (@JoshNorris) July 25, 2023
Jimmy Graham really gonna mentor Juwan into an elite receiving threat. Nasty.
— Al’s Toy Barn (@AlecSalas09) July 25, 2023
Oh what could’ve been if only Jimmy stayed.
Or hell, just spun the block THE FIRST TIME…
— Its Giving AARP In Here, MPA. 💯 (@Fresh_Logic) July 25, 2023
They said Derek Carr was one of lowest scoring QBs in the red zone last year.. so what do you do
You go get him a aggressive 6’3 Michael Thomas that dunked on AJ TERRELL TWICE
A 6’7 JIMMY GRAHAM WHOS KNWON FOR RZ.
Juwan Johnson at 6’6 who had 6 RZ TDs last year..
A PLAN https://t.co/ROalMDYgXV
— ⚜️ (@ObeyTheBoss___) July 25, 2023
Jimmy Graham with the walk off playoff touchdown in the Superdome, now back in action pic.twitter.com/r2JrHnKGIJ
— Brad Spielberger, Esq. (@PFF_Brad) July 25, 2023
Taysom Hill finding out Jimmy Graham is back
— Alex Caruso (@AlexCaruso) July 25, 2023
I do not want a kenny stills shitshow. Jimmy graham better get 5 TDs this year. I don't want my mood to be spoiled. Or catch 1 TD vs falcons and dunk on crossbar and retire
— Freaking about Football (@FreakyPeezy) July 25, 2023
Me when I saw #Saints signed Jimmy Graham:
— AYS Sports (@AYSSPORTS) July 25, 2023
Jimmy Graham signed a deal before Eli Apple
— Joe Horns Cell Phone (@JoeHornsPhone) July 25, 2023
Benjamin Watson at 35 for the saints put up
74 catches
825 yards
6 touchdownsWelcome back, jimmy graham..
CARRY THE HELL ON
— ⚜️ (@ObeyTheBoss___) July 25, 2023
Back in 2012 Jimmy & Marques were the reason I fell in love with the Saints. I cannot wait to watch my man dunk over the goal post again. 🥳 https://t.co/Em0MMNlr8f pic.twitter.com/EnarJoBdIk
— SB•⚜️🐊 (@SeahorseSaraa) July 25, 2023
"Saints sign TE Jimmy Graham to one-year contract."
Jimmy Graham and Juwan Johnson in 2023: pic.twitter.com/wBkz3b6KEj
— Moody (@EricNMoody) July 25, 2023
I’m actually getting chills. I don’t care if Jimmy is older, I am happy he’s home.
— Steven ⚜️ (@YourUncleSteven) July 25, 2023
Crazy. Couple months ago Jimmy Graham was recovering after a car hit him on his bicycle in Miami and preparing to take a sailboat around the world.
— John Sigler (@john_siglerr) July 25, 2023
This reunion with Jimmy Graham comes 8 years and 4 months after they traded him to the Seahawks for center Max Unger. Unger retired in 2019.
— Katherine Terrell (@Kat_Terrell) July 25, 2023
wait what https://t.co/RmxOkzCrJ6
— Mike Golic Jr (@mikegolicjr) July 25, 2023
Took a solid five minutes of scrolling for my brain to digest “one year” instead of “one day” here https://t.co/pczHPM80jV
— Mina Kimes (@minakimes) July 25, 2023
this is fun. let's do Pierre Thomas and Lance Moore next https://t.co/vaqTfDnzqs
— Gregg Rosenthal (@greggrosenthal) July 25, 2023
well well well. if it isnt one of the villains of my youth https://t.co/rWWKWizOMy
— charles (“you look good” – andy reid) mcdonald (@FourVerts) July 25, 2023
