Lane Johnson’s Eagles run came to an abrupt end Tuesday, when the veteran right tackle announced he is retiring after 13 years and three games.
The timing caught plenty of people off guard. Johnson, 36, had told the Eagles on Sunday morning, just hours before their game against the Los Angeles Rams, that he would not be able to play because of personal matters.
Two days later, the decision became permanent. Brandon Graham, a longtime friend and teammate, had already let it slip Sunday evening on an Eagles show that Johnson was weighing immediate retirement.
He was right.
In his statement, Johnson reflected on the grind that carried him through nearly 14 seasons.
“I’ve given it my all for 14 years; season after season pushing my body to the max and tirelessly working my craft to not only live up to the legacy of the guys that came before me, but to set a new standard of success for the best franchise in all of sports.”
Johnson also said the choice was tied to his mental health and the need to spend more time with his kids and family.
“I deeply wanted to gut it out for one more year to take the field with my brothers for one last season, but after a lot of reflection, I’ve realized that my personal and family priorities in my life have changed," he said. "Right now, it is critical that I focus on my mental health. I owe it to my teammates, coaches, the organization, and the fans to have my head and heart 100 percent in the game, and right now my heart is telling me that it’s time to say goodbye to football.”
For Johnson, the memories at the top of the mountain stand out above everything else. He called the Eagles’ two championship parades the highlights of his career.
“Riding up Broad Street as a world champion, not once, but twice, and seeing the city in all its glory was the ultimate privilege; I’ll never forget,” he said.
Johnson leaves as one of the most decorated players in Eagles history. He was a two-time Super Bowl champion, a six-time Pro Bowler and a five-time All-Pro. He played in 171 games for Philadelphia, and every one of them was a start, which puts him eighth on the franchise’s all-time games played list.
The next conversation now turns to Canton, where a Hall of Fame case seems to be waiting. Owner Jeffrey Lurie made that case plain in a statement, calling Johnson “an all-time Eagle and one of the best players ever to play his position in NFL history.”
Lurie added: “Lane was a major contributor to our team’s success for 14 seasons, helping to bring two Super Bowl championships and many other memorable moments to the organization and the city of Philadelphia.”
In Other News...
Giants Just Got A Tougher NFC East Problem To Prepare For
A rough afternoon in London left Washington with more than just a loss to the Colts. Starting quarterback Jayden Daniels suffered a dislocated left elbow in Week 5, and the injury immediately changed the conversation around the Commanders offense after Marcus Mariota had already gone down and third-stringer Athan Kaliakmanis was forced into action.
Dan Quinn said Daniels is on track to potentially return as soon as next week against the Giants, a development that would give Washington a much different look than it had overseas. For New York, it means preparing for a division opponent that may not be scrambling at quarterback for long, even if the recovery timeline still has to play out. [Read more 🡒]
Commanders Suddenly Have A Week 5 Injury Problem Fans Can't Ignore
The injury picture around Washington has shifted quickly enough to become a real Week 5 storyline, and it reaches across both sides of the ball. The Commanders are trying to manage hamstring strains for Stefon Diggs and Terry McLaurin, while Charles Omenihu is working through groin and ankle issues and Marcus Mariota is dealing with a sprained MCL. Jayden Daniels is still expected to start despite his own dislocated elbow, which gives the quarterback room at least some clarity even as the rest of the roster gets more complicated.
Nick Cross adds another layer after his illness and hospitalization, and the list of limited or sidelined players keeps the pressure on Washingtons depth. For a team already balancing injuries at receiver, along the defensive front and behind center, the concern is less about any one name than the cumulative effect on how the Commanders can actually function this week. The next update on availability may say plenty about how much margin this group still has left. [Read more 🡒]
Commanders Suddenly Face A QB Decision They Can't Ignore
Washingtons quarterback room got another look this week after the team brought in Jack Plummer for a workout following Marcus Mariotas injury. For now, though, the Commanders are not planning to add him, a sign they believe Mariotas absence will be short enough to avoid an injured reserve move. With Jayden Daniels also expected back soon from an elbow injury, the position remains in a holding pattern while the staff waits to see how the health of the room settles.
Dan Quinn has stayed upbeat through a stretch that has featured multiple injuries around the roster, and this latest quarterback wrinkle fits the same uneasy theme. The Commanders do not appear ready to make a roster move at the position yet, but they are clearly keeping options open as they navigate a week-to-week situation that could shift quickly depending on Mariota and Daniels. [Read more 🡒]