Lane Johnson knows his NFL career can’t continue forever. He also knows very few athletes can match LeBron James’ ability to defy time. While discussing his potential retirement Saturday, the Philadelphia Eagles right tackle referenced the new 76ers star and acknowledged that he can’t play forever like James.
“I plan on having a really good last year,” Johnson said.
James will enter his 24th NBA season at 41 years old after signing with the 76ers. Johnson is preparing for his 14th NFL season at 36, an impressive run for an offensive lineman who has spent more than a decade absorbing collisions from some of the league’s most powerful defensive players.
Eagles star RT Lane Johnson likely planning to retire after this season#LaneJohnson says he can’t
play forever like LeBron James Johnson says family reasons a driving factor as his kids get older and his parents battle health issues “I plan on having a really good last year” pic.twitter.com/BphCJlKvi8
— Jeff Skversky (@JeffSkversky) August 8, 2026
The LeBron comparison added humor to the conversation, but Johnson’s reasons for considering retirement are serious.
Johnson said his children are getting older and his parents have dealt with health issues. He missed four training camp practices with an excused personal designation before returning to the team Friday. That time away reinforced the responsibilities pulling him toward life after football.
Lane Johnson: “Looking like this is probably, potentially going to be, probably my last year, just because I had gotten to that point of those priorities away from football are starting to merge. Not that I don't enjoy (it) — I love everything about this game and preparing for it… https://t.co/rqcNjsHDs0
— Zach Berman (@ZBerm) August 8, 2026
Lane Johnson: "I thought about it last year, really. Lots of conversations with my family, my kids. My oldest is turning 13 in a few days. It’s hard to get time back, especially those years, I feel are very pivotal. It’ll be a fun transition. But as far as my focus is on here…
— Zach Berman (@ZBerm) August 8, 2026
Johnson is months away from submitting retirement paperwork or making a final announcement. Still, saying he plans to have a strong “last year” was his clearest indication that 2026 will probably close one of the greatest careers in Eagles history. Philadelphia selected Johnson with the fourth overall pick in the 2013 NFL draft. He has earned six Pro Bowl selections, five All-Pro honors and two Super Bowl championships while developing into one of the best right tackles of his generation.
Johnson returned this season because he didn’t want a Lisfranc injury to determine how his career ended. The injury cost him the final seven games of the 2025 regular season and Philadelphia’s wild-card loss to San Francisco.
James has extended his career into territory rarely reached by a professional athlete. Johnson appears content with a different ending.
He wants to stay healthy, help Philadelphia make another championship run and finish his career on his terms. If 2026 is his final season, Johnson has already defined the goal: make it a really good one.
This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: Lane Johnson jokes he can’t play forever like LeBron James
