Lane Johnson steps away: Eagles right tackle retires after 14 seasons, citing mental health
Philadelphia's six-time Pro Bowler ended his career mid-season on 6 October, putting his wellbeing first and leaving a rookie to fill one of the most important jobs on the roster.
Lane Johnson, the Philadelphia Eagles' right tackle for 14 seasons and a six-time Pro Bowler, announced his retirement on 6 October, citing a need to prioritise his mental health and family circumstances above football, per NBC Sports and 6abc Philadelphia.
He explained the decision in a statement, per NBC Sports: "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." The Eagles had held him out of their Week 4 game against Los Angeles on 4 October for personal reasons, per NBC Sports, two days before the announcement.
Per 6abc Philadelphia, he cited shifts in personal and family priorities, including his mother's health and his children's needs. The outlet reports Johnson has spoken openly about anxiety and depression since 2008.
Drafted 4th overall in 2013 out of Oklahoma, per NFL.com, Johnson built a long tenure at right tackle. He made 171 regular-season starts and 15 postseason starts, per NBC Sports, and earned two first-team All-Pro selections. Per Bleacher Report, Johnson won two Super Bowl titles in Philadelphia. Eagles chairman Jeffrey Lurie called him "an all-time Eagle and one of the best players ever to play his position in the NFL," per Bleacher Report. The Eagles went 122–63–1 in games Johnson started, against an 18–30 mark without him, per NBC Sports, a gap that illustrates his place in the team's fortunes.
Week 4: the first game without him
The first game without Johnson was a difficult one for the offence. On 4 October at Lincoln Financial Field, the Eagles lost 24–20 to the Rams. They managed just 68 net passing yards, completing 12 of 27 attempts while being sacked four times for 25 yards. They converted zero of 12 third-down attempts and one of four on fourth down, figures that capture how rarely they moved the chains. They were also flagged 10 times. The rushing attack produced 104 yards on 27 carries, but without a functional passing game the ground game could not carry the load.
Philadelphia held a 20–10 halftime lead but could not keep it. After a scoreless third quarter, the Rams scored 14 unanswered points in the fourth to win 24–20. Los Angeles held the ball for 32 minutes and gained 415 total yards, though their quarterback threw two interceptions. The defeat followed a 27–7 loss at Chicago on 28 September, so the Eagles arrive at Johnson's retirement on a two-game losing run.
The loss leaves Philadelphia at 2–2 in the NFC East, level with Dallas and a game behind New York's 3–1 record.
A long history of openness
Johnson's decision fits the way he has talked about his health for years. Per 6abc Philadelphia, his priorities now centre on his mother's health and his children's needs. Per NBC Sports, Johnson also missed seven games in 2025 with a Lisfranc foot injury.
The transition ahead
Rookie Markel Bell, a 2026 third-round pick from Miami, takes over at right tackle, per Bleacher Report. The Eagles' next fixture comes quickly: they face Jacksonville in London in Week 5, per Bleacher Report, a trip that immediately demands cohesion from a reshaped offensive line. Whether a rookie can settle a position held for 14 seasons by a six-time Pro Bowler is the open question as the Eagles chase the Giants in the division.