Lane Johnson, the Philadelphia Eagles’ right tackle, announced that the 2026 season will probably represent his last year in professional football. The veteran player disclosed his retirement timeline to reporters on Saturday, explaining that personal and off-field responsibilities have increasingly occupied his attention. Johnson emphasized that his affection for the game remains strong, but he has reached a point in his career where commitments outside football are becoming a primary focus.
Johnson brings substantial credentials to his potential final season. The 13-year veteran has been selected to six Pro Bowls and earned recognition as a two-time All-Pro First Team and three-time All-Pro Second Team honoree. He has also captured two Super Bowl championships with Philadelphia, winning in both 2017 and 2024. At 36 years old, Johnson continues to rank among the league’s elite at his position, placing ninth in a recent CBS Sports positional ranking and third in an ESPN poll of executive and coaching staff evaluations.
The impact of Johnson’s presence on the Eagles’ offensive performance has been quantifiable. Since 2013, the team has averaged 0.04 EPA per play when Johnson is on the field, compared to -0.05 EPA per play during his absences. This differential represents the gap between a top-three offense and a 27th-ranked offense in efficiency. Given his accomplishments and sustained excellence, Johnson is viewed as a potential Hall of Fame candidate.
The Eagles organization had already begun preparing for Johnson’s eventual departure by selecting Miami Hurricanes tackle Markel Bell in the third round of the draft. Bell, measuring 6-foot-9 and weighing 345 pounds, would potentially pair with another tackle to form one of the league’s largest tackle combinations should Johnson retire as planned following the 2026 campaign.
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