The regression of the Philadelphia Eagles' offensive line is starting to be noticed by the rest of the NFL, but that doesn't mean that they are that much worse off.
This Eagles offensive line is still among the best in the league when they are healthy, which is mainly because of the tackles they have on each side of the line: Lane Johnson and Jordan Mailata. Sports Illustrated NFL writer Gilberto Manzano ranked Mailata and Johnson as the fourth-best offensive tackle duo in the league.
"With Johnson missing half the season due to a foot injury, the Eagles’ offensive line didn’t play up to the standard we have become accustomed to since Johnson entered the league in 2013. Eventually, Philly is going to have to find Johnson’s replacement, but that issue doesn’t seem so pressing with Mailata standing on the opposite side.Â
Mailata, the former rugby player, has consistently delivered stellar seasons since becoming the starting left tackle in 2020. He only allowed two sacks in 972 snaps last season, according to Pro Football Focus. The Eagles have made two Super Bowl appearances with Mailata and Johnson as their bookend tackles, winning one."
Lane Johnson and Jordan Mailata are still one of the best tackle duos in the NFL
Last season, if it weren't for the foot injury, Johnson would have been an easy choice for the Pro Bowl and most likely landed on the All-Pro team. In 262 pass-blocking snaps, he allowed just seven pressures with no quarterback hits or sacks allowed.
Mailata had another dominant season that was overlooked by the rest of the NFL, with no Pro Bowl or All-Pro selection despite deserving one. PFF gave him an 83.4 overall grade, ranking 10th out of 89 offensive tackles in the NFL last year after allowing 27 pressures, four quarterback hits, and two sacks in 564 pass-blocking snaps.
Eagles fans better enjoy this duo while they are still playing in the NFL, as Johnson is inching closer to retirement. Rookie offensive tackle Markel Bell could end up being his replacement at right tackle in the next year or two if things work out the way fans think they will.
Mailata should be an Eagle for a long time since he is 29 and has plenty of years ahead of him. He's highly regarded as a top-five offensive tackle in the NFL, so the Eagles would be crazy to ever let him walk unless he had some kind of massive regression in his play in the next few seasons.
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This is the strong point of the Eagles' offensive line that the team has to make sure continues to stick together. Mailata and Johnson are too important to the offense's success in 2026.
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