Every team has that crucial backup, the next man up who you hope never has to see the field. For the Philadelphia Eagles, that spot along the offensive line is suddenly under a microscope. It’s like having a reliable relief pitcher in baseball; you need him to hold the line until your ace can return. But what happens when that reliever starts giving up walks and hits?
The news is clear for the Eagles. Veteran Matt Pryor is in a tough spot after his struggles through the first four weeks. When Lane Johnson left the Rams game, Pryor stepped in at right tackle. His performance, however, quickly became a problem. Meanwhile, Fred Johnson, the swing tackle Howie Roseman traded for in August, stepped in and shone.
This created a very workable alternative for the coaching staff. The evidence is stark. Pryor was on the field for five drives against the Rams. The results were brutal: four three-and-outs and a critical strip-sack. The offense managed a dismal -10 net yards with him protecting Jalen Hurts’ blindside. This public struggle triggered an immediate switch. Now, the contrast was night and day.
Fred Johnson stabilized the offense. With him at right tackle, the Eagles scored three touchdowns on their final four drives. They racked up 260 net yards and mounted a 19-point comeback. “I felt like I had to step up for my brothers,” Fred Johnson said. His entry was the spark the offense desperately needed. This on-field performance makes the depth chart decision intensely practical. So, what puts a veteran on thin ice?
The answer lies in consistent, observable performance. Against the Buccaneers, Pryor's opportunity was brief, filling in for an injured Tyler Steen at guard for a handful of snaps before Steen returned. While he didn't commit a major, game-altering error, the coaching staff's decision to turn to Fred Johnson once Lane Johnson went down later in the game was the telling sign. This move, bypassing Pryor for the tackle spot he struggled with a week prior, spoke louder than any stat sheet. For Pryor, the warning signs are now public.
Signals to Watch For Pryor
The first concrete signal will be in-game substitutions. If Lane Johnson is sidelined again and Pryor is yanked mid-game, that’s a clear message. Monitoring the official snap counts will tell this story early. Another major red flag would be another blown-up play. A sack allowed or a costly penalty credited to Pryor in Week 5 would fast-track the bench chatter. The Eagles’ offense cannot afford negative plays that kill drives.
Besides, it's important to listen closely to the coachspeak. If Head Coach Nick Sirianni, or Kevin Patullo, or any other offensive line coaches publicly praise Fred Johnson’s readiness while using careful words about Pryor’s “technique” or “consistency,” consider it a precursor to chang.e
"Fred did a great job, just like Fred did last year in certain situations, to come in and play meaningful football," Sirianni stated after the Rams game. That’s telling language. The dynamics of the NFL are unforgiving. A younger, returning veteran plays well, while a veteran backup falters. That is the exact recipe that puts a player’s role in serious jeopardy.
Read More:Eagles’ $1.2M cornerback breaks 707-day drought to challenge starters.
It’s a tough business where performance is the only currency that matters. And in the NFL, the only thing thinner than the margin is the ice under a struggling vet’s feet.