The Philadelphia Eagles are heading into a pivotal offseason, and there’s no sugarcoating it-there’s work to be done. After a disappointing early playoff exit in the Wild Card round at the hands of San Francisco, the focus now shifts to retooling the roster. And as always, GM Howie Roseman is in the spotlight, tasked with finding the right pieces to keep the Eagles in contention.
One area demanding immediate attention? The offensive line-specifically, the future of the right tackle position.
Lane Johnson, a cornerstone of this unit for over a decade, battled through injuries in 2025 and turns 36 later this year. With his future uncertain, the Eagles are eyeing potential successors, and one name gaining traction is Arizona State’s Max Iheanachor.
In a recent mock draft, ESPN’s Field Yates projected Iheanachor to Philadelphia, and it’s a pairing that makes a lot of sense on paper. The 6-foot-6, 330-pound tackle turned heads at the Senior Bowl, showcasing the kind of raw athleticism and footwork that scouts love to see in a developmental lineman. He’s got the frame, he’s got the movement skills, and he’s got the upside.
But here’s the thing-he’s still learning the game. Iheanachor didn’t play high school football and only recently began refining the technical aspects of his position.
He’s not a plug-and-play starter just yet. In fact, in 2025 alone, he was flagged for nine penalties-an indicator that while the physical tools are there, the polish is still a work in progress.
That said, if there’s a team that knows how to mold a raw offensive tackle into a legitimate NFL starter, it’s the Eagles. Just look at Jordan Mailata.
He came into the league as a rugby player with no football experience, and under the guidance of offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland, he developed into one of the league’s better left tackles. The Eagles have done it before, and that track record should give fans confidence they can do it again.
Of course, there’s a catch-and it’s a big one.
The assumption behind drafting a developmental tackle like Iheanachor is that Lane Johnson would still be around in 2026, giving the rookie time to learn behind one of the best to ever do it. But that’s no longer a guarantee.
According to Eagles insider Jeff McLane, both Johnson and left guard Landon Dickerson are considering retirement this offseason. Complicating matters even further is the departure of Stoutland, who was instrumental in developing players like Mailata.
If Johnson does indeed retire-and without Stoutland in the building-the Eagles’ plan at tackle suddenly shifts from long-term development to immediate need. Drafting Iheanachor in that scenario becomes riskier.
Can he be ready to start sooner than expected? Or would the Eagles need to look elsewhere for a more NFL-ready option?
Regardless of how the Johnson situation plays out, Philadelphia needs to start thinking about the future at right tackle. Whether that’s grooming a high-upside prospect like Iheanachor or targeting someone with a more polished game, the position can’t be left unaddressed.
This offseason is going to define the next phase of the Eagles’ offensive identity. If they get it right, they’ll stay in the mix at the top of the NFC. But the decisions made over the next few months-especially in the trenches-will go a long way in determining just how competitive this team remains.