The Eagles are bringing back a member of their Super Bowl-winning roster.
Offensive tackle Fred Johnson is returning to Philadelphia after Howie Roseman and the Eagles struck a deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday night.
Johnson was acquired in exchange for a 2026 seventh-round pick, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
This is the third trade Roseman has executed over the last week, using minimal draft capital to strengthen depth at key positions. Last Sunday, the Eagles traded for Texans wide receiver John Metchie III. On Sunday morning, they acquired Vikings quarterback Sam Howell.
Now, Johnson returns to fill a key role he held last season: swing tackle.
Johnson, 28, was with the Eagles from 2022-24. The 2019 undrafted lineman out of Florida joined Philadelphia’s practice squad after stints with the Steelers, Bengals and Buccaneers.
The NFL journeyman developed under legendary offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland, made the roster in 2023 and served as the team’s top backup offensive tackle the last two seasons.
In 2024, Johnson played a key role in the Eagles’ run. He filled in for Lane Johnson at right tackle in Week 4 against the Bucs and filled in for Jordan Mailata for Weeks 7-10. Johnson played well in those games, memorably shutting down Bengals star Trey Hendrickson.
Johnson signed a one-year deal with the Jaguars in March but was deemed expendable by Jacksonville ahead of Tuesday’s roster cutdown — and the Eagles will gladly take him.
No one in training camp stood out as swing tackle options. Darian Kinnard, Matt Pryor and Kendall Lamm have NFL experience at tackle. But Kinnard and Pryor might be utilized at guard while Lamm might not make the team.
Johnson’s addition makes the Eagles’ 53-man roster decisions all the more interesting.
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