Lane Johnson says he ‘didn’t want to go out like that’ as Eagles anchor embraces new offensive line scheme
Legendary right tackle is enjoying the final moments of his football career, but that doesn’t mean he’s not willing to experience new schemes and wrinkles.
Lane Johnson is coming back for what could be his final season with the Philadelphia Eagles, and the veteran right tackle is making it clear that last year’s collapse lit a fire under him. Johnson said he returned because he “didn’t want to go out like that,” referencing another disappointing end to an Eagles season.
After 14 years with the organization, two Super Bowl rings, and a résumé that cements him as one of the best offensive tackles in franchise history, Johnson wants one more shot to finish on his terms. And I respect the hell out of it.
Lane is locked in on the new scheme
What stands out here is how fired up Johnson sounds about the changes on the offensive line under new offensive line coach Chris Kuper. Johnson said he always wanted to play in an offense like this. He’s spent most of his career on an island at right tackle, and now the guards are going to be helping him out a lot more. He thinks the added support will boost the entire offense, with more disguises and fewer tells for opposing defenses to pick up on.
That is music to my ears. We talk all the time about how this Eagles offense underperformed last season despite having the talent. A lot of that came down to scheme and play-calling, but the offensive line was not blameless either. If Kuper’s approach gives Johnson more help on the edge while also making life harder for defensive coordinators trying to diagnose what Philadelphia is doing pre-snap, that’s exactly what the unit needs to be more efficient. The fact that a 14-year veteran is genuinely excited about learning something new tells you a lot about where his head is at.
This also speaks to something bigger about this team. The Eagles need Lane Johnson to be great this year. He’s the anchor of that offensive line, and we all know what happens when the protection breaks down for quarterback Jalen Hurts. The offense stalls, the run game disappears, and suddenly you’re watching the same frustrating product we saw too many times last season. Johnson being motivated and locked in gives me a lot of confidence heading into 2026.
The future at tackle is the elephant in the room
But here’s where it gets a little tricky. If this truly is Johnson’s last ride, the Eagles have to start projecting for the future at right tackle. We’ve already talked about the uncertainty surrounding Landon Dickerson and Cam Jurgens, with questions about their health and their long-term commitment to playing. Now you layer in the tackle position, and Howie Roseman has more issues to attack.
Philadelphia has always built through the trenches. That’s the foundation of everything Roseman does, and it’s why this team has stayed competitive year after year. But the reality is that Johnson is going to be 36 this season, and Father Time is undefeated. The Eagles need to find his eventual replacement, whether that’s through the draft next year or identifying a young developmental piece sooner. You can’t just wake up one day and realize your Pro Bowl right tackle retired and you have nobody ready to step in.
For now, though, I’m choosing to enjoy the fact that Lane Johnson is back, motivated, and genuinely excited about what this offense can look like. The man has given everything to this franchise. He’s been through the highs, the lows, the Super Bowl, the collapses, the coaching changes, all of it. And he’s still here, still grinding, still wanting to compete at the highest level.
If Lane Johnson says he wants to go out with a bang, I believe him. The Eagles just have to make sure they hold up their end of the deal and put a roster around him that can get it done. Because guys like Johnson deserve when a team does everything possible to maximize every last snap they have together.