While the outside focus in Philadelphia centers on key players lost in free agency and the future of receiver A.J. Brown, a more foundational shift under new offensive coordinator Sean Mannion is flying under the radar.
The former quarterback, who played for the Rams, Vikings and Seahawks before entering the coaching field, will bring a different offensive style. However, given Mannion's quick rise, little is known about the exact scheme he'll implement. We can presume certain things, given his time playing in Sean McVay schemes and his only coaching experience coming in Green Bay under Matt LaFleur — one year as an offensive assistant (2024) and one season as QB coach (2025). But the bulk is unknown.
Most of the comments regarding Mannion's hire have been the typical offseason banal statements of 'excitement' or 'impressive.' That's generally how it'll go until training camp, when the offense gets fully installed, and we'll get a chance at a closer look.
In the interim, right tackle Lane Johnson offered his insight into why the scheme under Mannion could bring more life to the blocking crew.
"I'm excited about this new system," he told the Fitz & Whit podcast. "I think it has some (Kyle) Shanahan implements in it. I think it will maybe be easier on the edge for Jordan (Mailata) and I. So, maybe not as much isolation, and when you run some wide zone like the 49ers and the guy comes zone, you're not worried about it and keep going, I could get used to that. I'm excited, I've watched these offenses from afar and was like, 'damn, that looks pretty fun.'"
Having a player of Johnson's caliber and experience on board with the shift is key. Particularly after long-time offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland left after the new staff was hired, there could have been some reticence to buying into the changes.
"He's meant everything to me in my career," Johnson said of Stoutland. "He was a guy that always got the best out of me. He knew how to motivate me. He knew what buttons to push, and I feel like we're very similar in that we wanted to be the best that we could be while we're in it. So, it was very unexpected."
The offseason changes might have been unexpected, but Johnson sounds welcome to a new scheme, particularly if it ends up making the end of his career more fun.