Fred Johnson
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Fred Johnson is thrilled to have found his way back to the Eagles
The Philadelphia Eagles may have won Super Bowl LIX last season, but that hasn’t stopped them from being quite busy during the offseason in an effort to load up their roster for another championship run in 2025. While winning back-to-back titles is easier said than done, if there’s a team that can do it, it may just be the Eagles.
Even with Week 1 of the regular season right around the corner, Philadelphia has been swinging moves left and right over the past few days, with one of their moves seeing them reunite with veteran offensive lineman Fred Johnson in a trade with the Jacksonville Jaguars. When discussing his reunion with the Eagles, Johnson made it clear how he feels about being back in town.
Fred Johnson is Thrilled to Be Back with the Eagles
Johnson initially broke into the NFL as an undrafted free agent with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2019, and while he initially made their 53-man roster, he got cut in October. The Cincinnati Bengals scooped him up, and he would go on to start eight games for them over the next three seasons. After spending the 2022 campaign with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Johnson found his way to the Philadelphia Eagles in 2023.
While he didn’t start any games in 2023, Johnson filled in for six games last season, playing an unexpectedly big role for Philadelphia. With the Eagles going on to win a Super Bowl, Johnson earned the first championship of his career. However, he wanted an opportunity to start consistently, which led him to sign with the Jaguars in free agency.
After failing to win a starting job in Jacksonville, though, Johnson ended up on the trade market, and with Philly needing offensive line help, they quickly made a move for him. Considering how he just left, it may seem like Johnson wouldn’t be happy to return to the team, but instead, he revealed that he was thrilled to have gotten traded to the Eagles.
“It feels great to be back,” Johnson said. “Oh my God, I’m so excited, so ready. Just happy to be back in the city, happy to be back with this team. Continue to keep the train rolling. I heard about the trade and I was like, ‘Hey, if I go anywhere else, I’d rather go back to the Eagles. I was super happy, super excited. I told my family, told my mom, told my son. I was just ready to get out here. I almost asked to drive up instead of fly the next morning. I was ready to get back.”
Eagles Looking to Rattle Off Second Straight Super Bowl
Getty ImagesNEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – FEBRUARY 09: Jalen Hurts #1 of the Philadelphia Eagles celebrates with the Vince Lombardi Trophy after defeating the Kansas City Chiefs 40-22 to win Super Bowl LIX at Caesars Superdome on February 09, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
With Jordan Mailata and Landon Dickerson both dealing with injuries heading into the start of the season, bringing back Johnson is key for several reasons. Not only does he have the versatility to fill in at multiple spots, but he also has familiarity with the Eagles’ offense and their various blocking schemes, which should help him pick up right where he left off.
Johnson may not have earned the starting job he was looking for over the offseason, but if he’s going to operate as a backup, it sounds like he’s with the team he wants to be with. Philadelphia will look to open up its 2025 campaign with a bang, as it will square off against the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday Night Football.