The importance of the 2026 season for the Philadelphia Eagles just got added more pressure than ever.
During the offseason, there were some major concerns about whether starting right tackle Lane Johnson was going to return or retire. Johnson ultimately decided to come back and play another season.
With some uncertainty about his future, his recent absence from training camp fired up even more questions about Johnson. He has a chance to speak with the media for the first time, and he made it clear what this season will mean for him.
Lane Johnson's explanation of Eagles training camp absence hits harder with career update
During his time with the media, Johnson explained that he needed to handle some personal matters off the field. He would go on to utter the words Eagles fans have been dreading to hear.
“It’s looking this will potentially be my last year.”
Johnson further explained what went into the decision to consider the 2026 campaign potentially the final one.
"I mean, I thought about it last year, really made lots of conversations with my family, my kids. My oldest is turning 13 here in a few days, so it's hard to get time back, especially those years. I feel like they're very pivotal. So it'd be, I think, a fun transition, but as far as my focus here, man, it's with the Eagles, it's playing. I still feel like I can be a premier tackle in this league. My movement, everything feels good. I just need to stay healthy and keep stacking, baby."
In his 13-year NFL career, Johnson has played and started in 168 games. He has made six Pro Bowls, been selected as a second-team All-Pro three times, and been selected as a first-team All-Pro twice. Johnson also appeared in three Super Bowls with the Eagles, winning two of them.
The reality is Johnson has nothing else to prove. He'll go down as one of the greatest right tackles in NFL history. There's no doubt he will be a lock for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
At the same time, despite the foot injury that cost him the last eight games, Johnson was playing extremely well in 2025. He didn't allow a single sack in 262 pass-blocking snaps in the first 10 games of the regular season.
Read more: Sean Mannion is keeping one thing Kevin Patullo did with Eagles in 2025
Eagles fans knew this day was coming for a long time, but it is still sad to hear him say those words. This Philly team better be ready to send Johnson off on the right note with a Super Bowl title win in February of 2027.
Add us as a preferred source on Google