Lane Johnson announces retirement after 14 seasons with Philadelphia Eagles
Lane Johnson, a two-time Super Bowl champion and mainstay on the Philadelphia Eagles' offensive line, announced his retirement Tuesday.
Johnson, who said the 2026 season would likely be his last in training camp, made the surprise announcement on social media.
"I deeply wanted to gut it out for one more year; to take the field with my brothers for one last season," Johnson said. "But after a lot of reflection, I've realized that my personal and family priorities in my life have changed.
"Right now, it is critical that I focus on my mental health. I owe it to my teammates, coaches, the organization and the fans to have my head and heart 100 percent in the game. And right now my heart is telling me that it's time to say goodbye to football."
Johnson, a six-time Pro Bowler and five-time All-Pro, was scratched from Sunday's 24-20 loss to the Los Angeles Rams for personal reasons, which led to rookie Markel Bell starting in his place.
Johnson said in his announcement that the decision to end his football career was "incredibly difficult" but that he'll never forget his time as an Eagle.
"Riding up Broad Street as a World Champion, not once, but twice, and seeing the city in all its glory was the ultimate privilege; I'll never forget it," Johnson said. "Thank you to Jeffrey Lurie and the entire Eagles organization for taking a chance on a kid from small-town East Texas, and changing my life forever.
"And thank you to the many coaches and teammates I've had the honor of working with and playing alongside for the past 14 years; ya'll have become lifelong friends and the brothers that I never had."
Eagles chairman and CEO Jeffrey Lurie said Johnson is an "all-time Eagle" and "one of the best players to ever play his position in NFL history."
"Lane excelled under multiple coaching staffs, maintaining an elite level of play throughout his entire career," Lurie said. "His combination of talent, strength, athleticism, and intelligence made him a truly unique player in this league, and there is no doubt in my mind he will be named to the Pro Football Hall Fame."
