PHILADELPHIA — For the second offseason in a row, a Philadelphia Eagles fan favorite and beloved teammate is set to leave in search of an opportunity to start.
On Monday, Fred Johnson cleaned out his locker at the NovaCare Complex for what could be the final time. Johnson, the Eagles’ top reserve offensive tackle, thought that was going to be the case last February. He left as a free agent only to return via a trade in August.
But after unexpectedly starting in almost half of the Eagles’ games in 2025, Johnson’s belief in himself is signaling that his time in Philadelphia has, in all likelihood, come to an end.
“I feel like I proved this year that I’m a starter in this league,” Johnson told PennLive. “I don’t think there’s any going back now. There’s no going back to the swing tackle role, the guy who fills in. I think I’ve shown that I’m a starter, and I’m here to get what I deserve.”
Johnson, the 28-year-old pending free agent, didn’t rule out staying in Philadelphia if it means he’ll have a legitimate chance at a starting job.
“I just need an opportunity, whether that’s here or somewhere else,” Johnson said. “This place gets first rights. I’m going to listen to what Howie (Roseman) has to offer and go from there.”
But there are two All-Pro roadblocks in the way of Johnson featuring for the Eagles in 2026. Superstar left tackle Jordan Mailata is under contract through 2028 while franchise legend Lane Johnson signed through the 2027 season.
Now, if Lane Johnson retires, that could lead to the Eagles signing Fred Johnson as a bridge starter and drafting a high-end tackle. The five-time All-Pro, who missed the final eight games of the season due to injury, will be 36 years old in 2026. While Mailata is “expecting” him back, Lane Johnson hasn’t given any indication of his plans.
But if Lane Johnson doesn’t retire, Fred Johnson — who filled in while the future Hall of Famer missed every game from Week 12 on — will test the open market like he did last offseason.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive tackle Vita Vea (50) faces off with Philadelphia Eagles offensive tackle Fred Johnson (74) and he spies the passer during an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Peter Joneleit)AP
Johnson played well when thrust into action over the last two seasons. In 2024, he started six games in the regular season and played admirably. That experience led him to sign a one-year, prove-it deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars last March.
But after it became clear in training camp that he wouldn’t start for the Jaguars, Roseman traded a 2026 seventh-round pick to bring Johnson back to Philadelphia. The Eagles needed a reliable swing tackle just in case something happened to either Mailata or Lane Johnson.
Sure enough, the latter went down with a Lisfranc foot injury in Week 11. From that point on, Fred Johnson started for the Eagles at right tackle.
“When I got thrust into that role, I embraced it,” Johnson said. “I was ready to go. And I tried to put my best foot forward. Because these guys in this room, these coaches, they deserved everything I had to give. And I did that until the last snap.”
Johnson was a part of an offensive line that struggled to open things up for Saquon Barkley throughout the season and clearly missed No. 65. Regardless of the replacement, any o-line would. But Johnson did well for the most part, especially in pass protection.
Johnson allowed only two sacks and 18 QB pressures, the sixth-fewest out of 61 tackles with at least 600 snaps, according to Pro Football Focus. His PFF pass-blocking efficiency rating, which measures pressure allowed on a per-snap basis, was also solid (22nd out of 61).
“He’s done an amazing job all year filling in,” Mailata said after last week’s playoff loss to the San Francisco 49ers. “Those are big shoes to fill, but he made his own shoes.”
Now, it appears Johnson will try to do that again somewhere other than Philadelphia.
“I’ve got goals. I’ve got things I want to achieve in my life,” Johnson said. “I’m always going to try to stay at home, and this is home. But I’ve got to handle my business.”