Lane Johnson’s 1st career TD one of the best Eagles stories of 2021

Raise your hand if you thought the Philadelphia Eagles would get back-to-back touchdowns from Lane Johnson and Alex Singleton. If you answered that with a yes, you need to pack your bags and move to Las Vegas immediately.

Lane Johnson was one of a handful of things (and by ‘handful’, we literally mean about five things) that Chip Kelly got right during his tenure as Eagles head coach. The former Oklahoma Sooners standout was the fourth-overall selection in the 2013 NFL Draft.

Since that time, he’s made three Pro Bowls. One could argue that he should have been voted to at least two more, including the most recent, but for now, the tally stands at four.

Lane’s a former First-team All-Pro (2017). He’s also a member of the Pro Football Focus 2010s All-Decade Team. He’s a shoo-in for the Eagles Hall of Fame. In all honesty, he has an argument for landing in Canton, Ohio one day, but one thing that he’s never done, however, is catch a pass. That is until Sunday’s game in Week 16.

Lane Johnson’s first career touchdown is one to remember.

You can search from now until whenever you figure out that it’s an exercise in futility, but it’s impossible to find a Birds fan, coach, or anyone on the team, that doesn’t LOVE Lane Johnson. The 2021-2022 season has only furthered that statement’s accuracy.

Johnson missed three games from Week 4 to Week 6  as he dealt with what was described at the time as a personal matter. We later learned that he had a bout with anxiety and depression. Since his return, he’s been an inspiration to both fans and teammates, using his story to inspire others. He even brought Jason Kelce to tears recently while discussing him.

In the third quarter, the Eagles had an idea. Roll Lane Johnson, an eligible receiver on the play, out into the pass pattern during one of Philadelphia’s trips to the red zone. The result was his first catch and touchdown reception of his nine-year career.

It’s hard to follow that with words, but here’s an attempt. In any normal circumstance, seeing a gadget play that results in your right tackle scoring is exceptional. With what Lane has experienced, both personally and professionally, a touchdown reception by Number 65 is one of those things that might keep a smile on our faces all week.

This isn’t an exaggeration. This is one of the best stories of the 2021-2022 Philadelphia Eagles season so far.