Eagles right tackle Lane Johnson retires after 14 seasons, citing mental health
In short
Philadelphia Eagles right tackle Lane Johnson announced his retirement from the NFL on Tuesday after 14 seasons, all with Philadelphia. The 36-year-old, a six-time Pro Bowl selection and two-time Super Bowl winner, said he wanted to play one more season but that his personal and family priorities had changed and that he needed to focus on his mental health. His announcement came two days after he was inactive for the Eagles' game against the Los Angeles Rams for personal reasons.
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Philadelphia Eagles right tackle Lane Johnson announced his retirement from the NFL on Tuesday after 14 seasons, all of them with the Eagles. The team's announcement came via a statement Johnson posted to social media, and was reported by Newsweek, The Associated Press, The Guardian US, Reuters and Fox News within about half an hour. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
In the statement, Johnson said he had wanted to play one more season. “I deeply wanted to gut it out for one more year; to take the field with my brothers for one last season,” he wrote. “But after a lot of reflection, I've realized that my personal and family priorities in my life have changed.” He added that “it is critical that I focus on my mental health” and that he owed it to his teammates, coaches, the organization and fans to be fully committed, concluding: “Right now my heart is telling me that it's time to say goodbye to football.” [ 1 , 3 , 5 ]
Johnson, 36, was a six-time Pro Bowl selection and a two-time first-team All-Pro who won two Super Bowls with Philadelphia, according to Newsweek and The Guardian US. Fox News reported that he was a member of the Eagles' Super Bowl-winning teams in 2017 and 2024. The Guardian US said he was taken by the Eagles with the fourth overall pick in the 2013 draft and started 171 games for the franchise. Johnson thanked Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie, the organization and his teammates in the statement. [ 1 , 3 , 5 ]
The announcement came two days after Johnson was a surprise inactive for the Eagles' game against the Los Angeles Rams for what were described as personal reasons. Fox News reported the game as a 24-20 Eagles loss. The Guardian US noted that Johnson had also missed four practices during training camp for personal reasons and had said after returning that the season would “probably” be his last. [ 1 , 3 , 5 ]
On the field, Newsweek reported that Fred Johnson sits behind Lane Johnson on the depth chart but was listed as questionable on Tuesday and missed Sunday's game, and that rookie Markel Bell, out of Miami, earned his first NFL start on Sunday and would likely continue in the starting tackle position. In his statement, Johnson said Philadelphia “will always be home” and that he would “forever be an Eagle”. [ 1 , 5 ]
Why it matters
Johnson's retirement ends a 14-season tenure on the Eagles' offensive line and creates a vacancy at right tackle, which Newsweek reported is likely to be filled for now by rookie Markel Bell. The decision also puts a player's stated mental health reasons at the centre of a high-profile NFL retirement.
Key facts
- Lane Johnson announced his retirement from the NFL on Tuesday after 14 seasons, all with the Philadelphia Eagles. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
- The 36-year-old cited his mental health and changed personal and family priorities as reasons for retiring. [ 1 , 3 , 5 ]
- Johnson was a six-time Pro Bowl selection and a two-time first-team All-Pro. [ 1 , 3 ]
- He won two Super Bowls with the Eagles, in 2017 and 2024, according to Fox News, which said he was part of both winning teams. [ 1 , 3 , 5 ]
- He was a surprise inactive for the Eagles' game against the Los Angeles Rams two days before the announcement, for personal reasons. [ 1 , 3 , 5 ]
- Johnson said he had wanted to play one more season before deciding to step away. [ 1 , 3 , 5 ]
- The Eagles drafted Johnson with the fourth overall pick in 2013, and he started 171 games for the team, according to The Guardian US. [ 3 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Lane Johnson is retiring after 14 NFL seasons, all spent with the Philadelphia Eagles. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
- He said his decision was driven by a need to focus on his mental health and on his family. [ 1 , 3 , 5 ]
- He was inactive for the Eagles' game against the Los Angeles Rams two days before announcing his retirement. [ 1 , 3 , 5 ]
- He won two Super Bowls with the Eagles and was a six-time Pro Bowl selection. [ 1 , 3 , 5 ]
- He said he had wanted to play one more season with the team. [ 1 , 3 , 5 ]
Still unclear
- Who will start at right tackle for the Eagles going forward. Only Newsweek addresses the depth chart, saying Fred Johnson sits behind the veteran but was listed as questionable on Tuesday and missed Sunday's game, and that rookie Markel Bell earned his first NFL start on Sunday and will likely continue in the position. No other document covers the replacement.
- Johnson's plans after retirement. The documents say he wants to spend more time with his children and family but give no further detail.
- The score of Sunday's Eagles-Rams game. Only Fox News gives a score, describing a 24-20 loss to the Los Angeles Rams; other documents refer to the game without a result.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- Newsweek reports that Lane Johnson has announced his retirement in a statement posted to social media, citing mental health as the main reason. [ 1 ]
- The Associated Press and The Guardian US report the retirement; the Guardian notes he was a surprise inactive against the Rams two days earlier and had missed four training-camp practices for personal reasons. [ 2 , 3 ]
- Reuters reports Johnson is retiring to focus on mental health. [ 4 ]
- Fox News reports the retirement, calling it stunning and noting he was a surprise inactive in the Eagles' 24-20 loss to the Rams on Sunday. [ 5 ]