The Philadelphia Eagles have one of the NFL's premier offensive tackle tandems in Jordan Mailata and Lane Johnson. The bigger question entering the 2026 season has never been related to the starters. It's what happens if one of those starters is forced to miss time.
That conversation has resurfaced during the opening days of training camp. Lane Johnson has missed on-field time, albeit excused. Still, whether he's been on the field or not, veteran Fred Johnson has experienced an uneven start while competing for an important role as Philadelphia's top swing tackle.
Training camp can, at times, be unkind to offensive linemen. Pass rushers often have the advantage before the pads come on, and one difficult practice doesn't define an entire summer.
Still, Johnson's early performances have highlighted a concern that extends beyond one player. The Eagles' tackle depth remains one of the roster's biggest storylines.
Fred Johnson's role is significant.
Unlike many backup offensive linemen, Fred Johnson doesn't seem to be competing for a roster spot. That seems certain, but there's also more to the story. He's competing for a job that could become critical over the course of a 17-game season.
Philadelphia has been fortunate to enjoy remarkable stability from Mailata and Lane Johnson in recent years. Still, history has shown that offensive tackles rarely make it through an entire season without battling injuries. If and when an emergency arrives, the Eagles need someone capable of stepping into the lineup without forcing major changes to the offense.
That's why every training camp rep matters, and that's why people are paying attention. No one welcomes more stories of failed experiments at the edge. If Fred Johnson rebounds or Markel Bell leapfrogs him on the depth chart, the Eagles will have greater confidence in their contingency plan. If the inconsistency continues, Philadelphia may have to evaluate whether another player on the roster, or even someone outside the organization, can strengthen the position before the regular season begins.
Some big-picture takeaways from #Eagles practice:
— EJ Smith (@EJSmith94) August 1, 2026
- Jalyx Hunt and Jalen Carter had statement practices. Hunt had several "sacks," mostly against Fred Johnson but was also effective against Jordan Mailata. He's been great so far.
- It was heavy third-down install day, so we saw…
The Eagles' evaluation is only beginning.
The encouraging news for the Eagles is that there is still plenty of football left before final roster decisions are made. Pads have only recently come on, preseason games will provide a more complete evaluation, and offensive linemen often settle in as camp progresses. Markel Bell lined up with the starters for the first padded practice, and he is expected to continue to improve.
For now, Johnson's early struggles should be viewed less as an indictment of one player and more as a reminder of how important the swing tackle position is in Philadelphia. The Eagles know what they have in Mailata and Lane Johnson. Training camp is about determining whether they can feel just as comfortable with the player who may be called upon next.
Nothing is certain, at least not yet, but if there's one lesson to take from the opening week of camp, it's this: the Eagles aren't just evaluating Fred Johnson. They're evaluating whether their offensive tackle depth is ready to withstand the inevitable challenges of another long NFL season.
This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: Eagles’ offensive tackle depth emerges as an early training camp concern
