Eagles star Lane Johnson retires after 14 seasons, citing mental health
Philadelphia Eagles right tackle Lane Johnson retired Tuesday after 14 seasons, saying he needs to focus on his mental health and family. The six-time Pro Bowler and two-time first-team All-Pro helped win the franchise's only two Super Bowls. He leaves a 2-2 team that has lost two straight games.
Lane Johnson, one of the best right tackles of his era, retired from the NFL on Tuesday after 14 seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles. He said in a social media post that his priorities have changed and that he needs to focus on his mental health, ESPN, NFL.com and The Guardian reported.
"I deeply wanted to gut it out for one more year; to take the field with my brothers for one last season," Johnson wrote. "And right now my heart is telling me that it's time to say goodbye to football."
The news came two days after Johnson, 36, was a surprise inactive for Sunday's loss to the Los Angeles Rams. ESPN said the team did not know until that morning that he would not play. He also missed four training camp practices for personal reasons. In August, he said this would likely be his last season, because both of his parents were dealing with health problems and his oldest child is 13.
The Eagles took Johnson fourth overall out of Oklahoma in 2013. He started 171 games, made six Pro Bowls and was named first-team All-Pro twice, NFL.com said. He played in three Super Bowls and won two, the only titles in team history. Philadelphia went 122-63-1 when he started and 18-30 when he did not, according to ESPN Research. Owner Jeffrey Lurie said he has "no doubt" Johnson will make the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Johnson also became one of the leading voices on mental health in sports. He has spoken openly about anxiety and depression going back to his first year of college. In 2021, he missed three games while dealing with severe withdrawal symptoms after trying to come off an antidepressant, ESPN said.
His exit hurts a line that is already thin. Guard Landon Dickerson is on injured reserve, Cam Jurgens is in the concussion protocol, and tackle Fred Johnson missed Sunday's game with a knee injury, NFL.com reported. Rookie Markel Bell started in Lane Johnson's place against the Rams.
What we know: Johnson is retiring now, three games into his 14th season.
What we don't: Who will hold the right tackle job for the rest of the year.
Where outlets agree ESPN, NFL.com and The Guardian all report that Johnson, 36, retired Tuesday, citing changed family priorities and his mental health.
Where they differ ESPN calls rookie Markel Bell the most likely replacement, but the Eagles have not said who will start at right tackle the rest of the season.