For years, the Philadelphia Eagleshave changed almost everything around Lane Johnson. Head coaches have come and gone. He has played for Chip Kelly, Doug Pederson, and Nick Sirianni.
Offensive coordinators have arrived and departed. Quarterbacks have been drafted, developed, and replaced. Teammates who once formed the core of Philadelphia's locker room have retired or moved on.
Through all of it, Johnson remained. That's why Sunday's home opener against the Washington Commanderscarries a little more significance than usual. With Johnson having announced that 2026 will be his final NFL season, the Eagles are preparing for something that once felt impossible to imagine: his final home opener at Lincoln Financial Field.
The moment reminds us that
one of the greatest careers in franchise history is entering its final chapter. We've had time to prepare, so why does this feel so sudden?
We always knew the legend wouldn't play forever, even though it sometimes seemed like he could. That said, the man wearing the Number 65 Eagles jersey straps it on for one final ride in midnight and Kelly green.
An Eagles cornerstone for more than a decade
The Eagles selected Johnson with the fourth overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft, a decision that helped shape the organization's future for more than a decade. Since arriving in Philadelphia, Johnson has started all 168 regular-season games in which he has appeared, while adding 15 postseason starts.
His consistency has become almost as impressive as his talent. For 13 seasons, the Eagles have rarely had to worry about the right tackle position because Johnson handled it at an elite level. The accolades only tell part of the story.
Johnson is a two-time Super Bowl champion, a two-time First-Team All-Pro selection, a three-time Second-Team All-Pro and a six-time Pro Bowler. His place among the best offensive linemen of his generation has long since been established.
The last link to another era
What separates Johnson from so many other men who have played the game is the longevity. Few players survive in the trenches for more than a decade. Even fewer remain among the league's best deep into their careers. Johnson has managed both. Philadelphia's roster has changed significantly in recent years.
Jason Kelce has retired. Brandon Graham is gone. Many of the veterans who helped deliver the Eagles' first Super Bowl title have moved on to the next stage of their lives and careers.
Johnson remains one of the final links connecting the current Eagles to that championship team. His presence has provided stability during periods of transition, and his value extends well beyond what happens between the whistles. Younger players have consistently pointed to Johnson as an example of professionalism, preparation, and accountability.
A Hall of Fame resume already complete.
When his career eventually ends, the Eagles won't simply be replacing a starting right tackle. They'll be replacing one of the defining leaders of an era.
The interesting thing about Johnson's final season is that there is very little left for him to prove. His resume already checks every major box associated with Hall of Fame consideration. The championships are there. The All-Pro honors are there. The longevity is there. The respect from coaches, teammates, and opponents is there.
Everything that happens this season feels less about building a case and more about strengthening one that has already been made. That reality allows Eagles fans to appreciate the moments a little differently. Every home game, every dominant performance, and every standing ovation now carries additional meaning because the opportunities to witness them are becoming limited.
The Eagles enter 2026 with another championship pursuit in mind. Johnson remains a critical part of those ambitions, just as he has been for more than a decade. Still, this season will ultimately be remembered for wins, losses, and playoff aspirations. Somewhere along the way, however, it will also mark the end of one of the greatest careers Philadelphia has ever seen. Sunday's home opener is simply the latest reminder that the clock is now ticking.
This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: Lane Johnson begins final chapter with Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field
