Two-time Super Bowl-winning Philadelphia Eagles tackle Lane Johnson has admitted the upcoming 2026 NFL season could well end up being his last before hanging up his cleats
Lane Johnson #65 of the Philadelphia Eagles looks on following an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on November 10, 2025 in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
Philadelphia Eagles tackle Lane Johnson has admitted the 2026 NFL season will likely be his final year before retirement(Image: Getty Images)
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Philadelphia Eagles star Lane Johnson has conceded the upcoming 2026 season may be his last in the NFL.
The 2026 NFL season is drawing ever-closer, with all 32 teams in action this week in the preseason. The Eagles will face off against the Baltimore Ravens on Saturday at M&T Bank Stadium in what is a huge year for Philadelphia following its frustrating 2025 campaign. Having won the Super Bowl during the 2024 season, the Eagles went 11-6 last term before being bounced from the playoffs by an injury-ravaged San Francisco 49ers team.
Heading into the 2026 season, there is hope that the appointment of Sean Mannion as the Eagles' offensive coordinator will lead to a much more potent attack, something Philadelphia struggled to produce last term. It comes as Jason Kelce created an awkward situation on MNF to leave ESPN colleagues in shock.
A Super Bowl win for Philadelphia this year would see Johnson ride off into the sunset, too, after he admitted this year would likely be his last before retirement. Drafted out of Oklahoma back in 2013, Johnson is widely regarded as one of the league's perennial top tackles.
However, at 36, Johnson looks set to hang up his cleats at the end of the year, citing a desire to focus on spending time with his family.
"As you get older, things change in your life: Priorities. Your children get older, parents get older," Johnson told reporters at Eagles training camp, adding, "It just puts things into perspective."
He continued, "Looking like this is probably, potentially, going to be my last year. Just because I am getting to that point, of those priorities away from football are starting to merge.
"Not that I don't enjoy it [football], I love everything about this game and preparing for it. But that's kind of where I'm at in my career. Just looking forward to this year, playing the best I can, and staying healthy."
He also added, "I'm here, my team’s supporting me. I’m where I need to be. But yeah, I’ve had conversations with family members. You can’t play forever. Not everybody can do what LeBron James is doing. I am 36. It is weird to say. All the love, all the support here. Yeah, man, I plan on having a really good last year."
Last offseason, Johnson signed a one-year contract extension with Philadelphia through to 2027. The Eagles tackle is a two-time first-team All-Pro (three-time second-team All-Pro) and a six-time Pro Bowler.
During the 2025 season, he sprained his foot in a Week 11 victory over the Detroit Lions, an injury that sidelined him for the remainder of the year.
Following Johnson's admission about retirement, Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni hailed him as the league's best offensive lineman, adding the team will do everything they can to support him during his final year.
"Obviously, we want to support Lane in that. He's a phenomenal football player," said Sirianni. "He's one of the best guys I've been around and in my opinion, the best offensive lineman in the NFL.
"So glad he's here and just thinking about every day ... I can't say enough good things about Lane."