Philadelphia Eagles captain Lane Johnson explains the real goal of his career
The Philadelphia Eagles brought back Lane Johnson on a one-year $33.4 million deal. It is a contract that helps Johnson realize the goal of his career.
Lane Johnson, the Philadelphia Eagles' captain and all-pro lineman, had one goal when it came to how he wanted to end his career.
Finish his run in the NFL as a Philadelphia Eagle.
Johnson let that much be known to Eagles reported Dave Spadaro after the Eagles formally announced that they signed Johnson to a one-year $33.4 million deal.
"My whole goal is to retire an Eagle," Johnson said to Spadaro on Friday after signing a new contract with the Eagles. "That's what I'm going to do. I'm just excited to be here, be as fortunate as I am to be with one team for as long as I have. I love this game and, more importantly, I love the people and the coaches that I'm with every day and that's why I love the game so much."
Johnson's Hall of Fame career is nothing to be bashful about. He was a first-round pick of the Eagles in 2013, and he has been named an All-Pro three times (2017, 2021, and 2022). Johnson was also named a Pro Bowler, earning the award four times (2018, 2019, 2020, and 2023).
Still, those awards pale in comparison to what Johnson has meant to Philadelphia.
He's played 127 regular-season games for the franchise. And when he plays, Philadelphia boasts a 79-47-1 record.
But the reason he loves Philadelphia isn't for merely all the winning. It is also the culture of the city that speaks to Johnson in a way no other place can.
"There's not a better feeling than being here in such a storied city," Johnson said. "You can really feel it whenever you go out in the city how much they love their players and love football."
One of the sacrifices Johnson made during the Eagles' run to the Super Bowl was playing through injury. Late in the season, he tore his adductor. He only missed two games with the injury and played on it throughout the postseason.
The decision, to Johnson, was a no-brainer. And his play during that critical stretch for the Eagles led to head coach Nick Sirianni calling him the best tackle in the game.
With the twilight of Johnson's career approaching, as he promised, he wants to stay in Philadelphia for life.
"So ready to reload this season," Johnson said, "get new guys in, make them part of the family, and get this thing rolling again."
