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Philadelphia Eagles offensive tackle Lane Johnson.
In the NFL, position coach moves don’t usually grab many headlines, so it speaks as much to the national interest in the Philadelphia Eagles as well as Jeff Stoutland’s greatness as an offensive line coach that his decision to retire set off as many alarms as it did on Wednesday.
With Stoutland out, the Eagles must now brace for what could be an even more impactful loss if legendary offensive tackle, 2-time Super Bowl champion and likely future Pro Football Hall of Famer Lane Johnson decides to hang it up after 13 seasons.
Johnson missed the final 7 games of the regular season and the NFC Wild Card loss to the San Francisco 49ers with a Lisfranc injury to his foot — something there has been no news about since the end of the season.
“With that Lisfranc injury that he had … there was speculation he needed to have surgery and he hasn’t had surgery,” former Eagles defensive end Hugh Douglas said during a radio appearance on Thursday. “I don’t mean to be that guy, but I think he’s done. You would think at this point we would have an update on surgery if he’s had surgery … I’m recklessly speculating but I’m being honest. I think he’s gone. I think he’s just waiting to make the announcement.”
Johnson’s Next Stop Likely Pro Football HOF
If Johnson is truly done playing in the NFL, his next stop is almost certainly getting a bust in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio.
The No. 4 overall pick in the 2013 NFL draft out of Oklahoma, there have been few offensive linemen like Johnson in NFL history — a 6-foot-6, 325-pound former junior college quarterback who moved to tight end before making the fateful switch to offensive line in 2011.
Johnson signed a 1-year, $25 million contract extension in March 2025 and is due an incredible $41.7 million in 2026. Through the end of the 2025 season, the 35-year-old 5-time NFL All-Pro and 6-time Pro Bowler has a staggering $163.4 million in career earnings.
Eagles Getting Offensive Makeover
There is some rightful cause for concern in Philadelphia as the offensive coaching staff gets a makeover following Kevin Patullo’s firing after just 1 season and being replaced by Sean Mannion, who will be an offensive coordinator for the 1st time.
On the field, the biggest change would come if Johnson left, certainly, but the growing chorus of reports saying disgruntled NFL All-Pro wide receiver A.J. Brown will likely be traded would mean 2 of the NFL’s best players, regardless of position, out the door.
Take into account the Eagles barely kept defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, who was considering retirement as well, and the question arises: What is going on in Philadelphia? And why is there this much chaos just 1 year after winning the Super Bowl?
“(Stoutland leaving) is a disaster for the Philadelphia Eagles,” Sports Radio 94 WIP’s Joe DeCamara said on Thursday. “It’s a tremendous mismanaged situation. It’s terrible leadership. It makes me question Nick Sirianni. It makes me question Howie Roseman. It makes me question Jeffrey Lurie. How 2025 was Jeff Stoutland’s fault is beyond me.”
Tony Adame covers the NFL for Heavy.com, with a focus on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Washington Commanders, Dallas Cowboys, Baltimore Ravens, Philadelphia Eagles and Denver Broncos. A veteran sports writer and editor since 2004, his work has been featured at Stadium Talk, Yardbarker, NW Florida Daily News and Pensacola News Journal. More about Tony Adame
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