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ESPN’s Adam Schefter said on 97.5 The Fanatic he expects right tackle Lane Johnson to return for the Philadelphia Eagles next season.
The Philadelphia Eagles have some significant questions to answer along their offensive line this offseason. But the uncertainty around right tackle Lane Johnson could be coming into focus.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter explained Wednesday morning during an appearance on 97.5 The Fanatic in Philadelphia that he’s hearing Johnson is likely to return for 2026.
“I do expect that Lane Johnson will be back; I have heard the Landon Dickerson conversation [on potential retirement],” Schefter said. “I don’t know how real it is or isn’t. But I’d be surprised if Lane Johnson isn’t back.”
Both Johnson and guard Landon Dickerson dealt with injuries during the 2025 NFL season. On February 7, ESPN’s Dan Graziano reported both players were considering retirement this offseason.
Johnson will also turn 36 in May.
But while Schefter remains unclear about Dickerson’s status, he sounded pretty certain Johnson would return.
In 13 NFL seasons, Johnson has made six Pro Bowls and five All-Pro teams. Johnson made first-team All-Pro in 2017 and 2022.
During both of those seasons, the Eagles made the Super Bowl.
Lane Johnson Expected to Return for Eagles in 2026
Schefter didn’t necessarily report the Eagles are expecting Johnson to return. But the update the ESPN insider provided was nothing but positive on the veteran tackle.
Johnson failed to make an All-Pro team in 2025 for the first time in five years. But when healthy, he’s still one of the biggest keys of Philadelphia’s entire offense.
With Johnson in the lineup last season, the Eagles posted an 8-2 record. Without him, the team went 3-4 and lost in the first round of the playoffs.
Johnson coming back at right tackle became even more important for the Eagles when offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland elected to depart in January. The longtime offensive line coach was instrumental in Philadelphia featuring one of the top NFL offensive fronts over the past decade.
One of the last things the organization needs in its first season without Stoutland is having to develop a new starting right tackle.
Unclear Future for LG Landon Dickerson
While the update on Johnson was clearly positive for the Eagles, Dickerson’s status remains unclear.
The good news is Schefter didn’t rule out the left guard returning. But based on what Schefter said, that’s still a possibility.
Dickerson made three consecutive Pro Bowls from 2022-24. During that stretch, the Eagles made the Super Bowl twice, winning the NFL title in the 2024 campaign.
Last year, Dickerson started 15 games. He has dealt with injuries throughout his football career but has missed just seven contests over five NFL seasons.
On Tuesday, NBC Philadelphia’s Reuben Frank expressed a similar sentiment with Dickerson’s future as Schefter did with Johnson. Frank wrote he would “be surprised” if Dickerson retires at 27 years old. Two years ago, he became the highest-paid guard in NFL history with a four-year, $84 million contract.
But no insider appears to be denying that retirement is on the table for Dickerson.
“I guess anything is possible and I can imagine how frustrating it’s been to deal with being hurt all the time, not just with the Eagles but throughout his college career both at Florida State and Alabama,” Frank wrote. “But Dickerson is such a competitor and I just feel like once he heals up over the next couple months that he’ll decide he wants to continue playing.
“The Eagles sure need the Landon Dickerson of 2022 through 2024 back.”
Dave Holcomb is a sports reporter covering the NFL and MLB for Heavy.com, with a focus on the Pittsburgh Steelers, Philadelphia Eagles and Detroit Lions. Originally from Pittsburgh, Holcomb has covered college and professional sports for outlets including FanSided, Rotowire and Yardbarker. More about Dave Holcomb
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