No one is confusing Markel Bell with Lane Johnson. Few offensive tackles in NFL history have accomplished what the Philadelphia Eagles' future Hall of Famer has over the past decade. Two First-Team All-Pro selections, three Second-Team All-Pro honors and six Pro Bowl appearances tell only part of his story. Johnson has been one of the NFL's premier right tackles for well over a decade.
Still, Johnson has been absent from Eagles training camp, and his absence has not gone unnoticed. The August 5th session marked his fourth consecutive missed practice while tending to a personal matter. Sure, Philadelphia needs its star right tackle as they continue an offensive scheme's install. Still, while Philadelphia would obviously prefer to have its veteran
right tackle available during the installation of a new offense, his absence has created an unexpected developmental opportunity.
They may be accelerating Markel Bell's development.
Markel Bell earns valuable snaps with Eagles first team
With Johnson away from the Jefferson Health Training Complex for personal reasons, the rookie third-round selection has spent valuable time working with Philadelphia's first-team offense. Those are reps most young offensive linemen rarely receive this early in their careers. Bell has made the most of his opportunity.
The rookie was drafted 68th overall during Round 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft. Recently, Eagles Wire named him the 29th most important player on the roster. With Johnson out, he initially shared first-team work with veteran Fred Johnson before eventually handlingthe majority of the first-team reps at right tackle during the Eagles' fifth practice.
Bell was joined by Jordan Mailata, Landon Dickerson, Cam Jurgens and Tyler Steen during Tuesday's padded practice before once again working with the starters during Wednesday's session. Drew Kendall replaced Dickerson at left guard on Wednesday while the veteran enjoyed a rest day. The continued exposure suggests the Eagles are committed to accelerating their development when starters are away.
Bell's assignment hasn't been an easy one. Every snap has come against one of the NFL's deepest defensive fronts, featuring players such as Jalen Carter, Zack Baun, Moro Ojomo and Byron Young. Mistakes are inevitable against that caliber of competition, but Bell has also shown encouraging signs as the overarching theme is he has held his own. That's a positive assessment considering the circumstances.
The Eagles are building depth for the long season ahead
Bell's bonus reps with the first team also carry significance beyond the current week of practice. Philadelphia understands better than most teams that offensive line depth matters. Injuries are inevitable across a 17-game schedule. New offensive line coach Chris Kuper hopes to build one of the league's premier offensive line rooms by preparing young players long before they're needed.
Bell has elite traits that should make him successful. His education has accelerated because of Johnson's absence, but the experience could prove valuable long after the veteran returns. The Eagles may need to eventually evaluate whether Bell can replace Lane Johnson, but they're also evaluating whether they can trust him if circumstances ever require it.
Every snap with Jalen Hurts, every rep against Philadelphia's starting defense and every correction from Coach Kuper helps answer that question. That's why what looks like a temporary training camp opportunity could become one of the rookie's biggest developmental milestones before the regular season even begins.
This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: Markel Bell continues to gain valuable experience in Lane Johnson's absence
