Lane Johnson is “probably” going to retire after the 2026 NFL season.
The Philadelphia Eagles’ two-time Super Bowl-winning right tackle unexpectedly revealed as much in his press conference following Saturday’s steamy training camp practice.
Johnson, who previously met with the media early in camp, spoke to reporters for the first time after being excused for four practices due to personal reasons. He touched on his reasoning for likely departing after this upcoming campaign:
“As you get older, things
change in your life. Priorities … your children get older, your parents get older. And, so, it puts things into perspective. So, [it’s] looking like this is probably potentially going to be probably my last year. Just ‘cause I am getting to that point of those priorities away from football are starting to merge. Not that I don’t enjoy— I love everything about this game and preparing for it. But that’s kind of where I’m at in my career. Yeah, man, just looking forward to this year, playing the best I can, and stay healthy. And that’s about it.”
Johnson said he wanted to be “transparent” about his impending exit because it “allows [him] to kind of be at ease.”
It’s impossible to say Johnson’s plan to walk away is a complete surprise. The 36-year-old is entering his 14th NFL season and there have been rumors about his potential retirement for multiple offseasons now.
But it’s obviously notable for him to be so explicit about his intentions. Johnson was asked when he came to this decision:
“I thought about it last year, really. Lots of conversations with my family, my kids. My oldest is turning 13 here in a few days. It’s hard to get time back. Especially, those years, are very pivotal. I think it’ll be a fun transition. But as far as my focus here, it’s with the Eagles, it’s playing. I still feel I can be a premier tackle in this league. My movement and everything, feels good. I just need to stay healthy and stacking days.”
Johnson said the plan was always for him to return to the Eagles after his recent absence. He also mentioned his mom is “struggling with some health stuff.”
In some ways, it’s hard to imagine the Eagles without Johnson being part of the team. He’s been a fixture of an historically successful era. He was the best blocker on two championship teams where the Eagles’ offensive line was a driving factor why the franchise lifted the Vince Lombardi Trophy twice.
Johnson spoke on his legacy and how he wants to be remembered:
“I just want to be known as, obviously, a great player but somebody that was always nice to kids, always nice to people in the [Eagles’] building. Hopefully somebody that elevated guys and was just a good teammate, fun to be around. Hopefully pick up guys when they’re not their best selves mentally. Give them some stories about some stuff I’ve overcome and handled. I want to be seen as a guy continually got better as he aged. Where some guys, once they hit 30, they kind of nose dive. Kind of the opposite of me. But, it’s lucky, man. Not everybody lands at a good organization where you have success and you have the ability to stack year upon year. So, I’m really fortunate, and I’m trying to soak in these last six months, seven months.
For 2026, the Eagles can once again feel good about Johnson’s contributions as one of the very best offensive tackles in the league. Maybe they’ll even cap off his career with a third Super Bowl win.
For 2027 and beyond, it remains to be seen how the Eagles will replace Johnson. His successor will likely be a downgrade, which isn’t even an indictment of them as much as it is a testament to how Johnson set the bar to an unreachable height.
One potential option to become the Eagles’ next starting right tackle is Markel Bell. The 2026 third-round pick is massive and he’s been taking a lot of first-team reps. It’s possible that Bell could be the Eagles’ swing tackle this season before stepping up into a larger role as soon as next year. Johnson had some encouraging things to say about Bell’s outlook:
“He’s been one of the best rookies I’ve been around, as far as being in the playbook, no complaining, haven’t heard him complain one time. He’s always asking questions. Just a really mature young man. Handles stuff off the field well. He’s just always asking questions. You can tell he was coached up well at Miami. I see a guy with that size and that ability and that wingspan and that movement, he can a lot of success in this business.”
Whether it’s Bell or someone else, Johnson will leave massive shoes to fill assuming 2026 is truly the final season in his Hall of Fame caliber career.
