Lane Johnson’s NFL career is over. The longtime Philadelphia Eagles right tackle announced his retirement Tuesday, and ESPN’s Adam Schefter quickly labeled him the best player to come out of the 2013 draft.
Johnson, 36, was taken No. 4 overall out of Oklahoma and never wore another NFL uniform. He spent all 14 of his seasons with the Eagles.
His retirement came two days after he missed Philadelphia’s 24-20 loss to the Rams for what the team described as personal reasons. Johnson had started the first three games of the season, though he suggested during the summer that it would likely be his final year. In a letter posted on X, he said focusing on his mental health was essential.
Schefter’s post also revived discussion about the teams that passed on Johnson. Three of the first four picks in 2013 were tackles. Kansas City selected Central Michigan’s Eric Fisher first. Jacksonville took Texas A&M’s Luke Joeckel second. Miami, using a pick acquired from Oakland, chose Oregon defensive end Dion Jordan third. Johnson went right after that to Philadelphia.
David Furones, a Dolphins beat reporter for the Sun Sentinel, responded to Schefter by highlighting Miami’s decision: “Of course it was the Dolphins taking Dion Jordan one pick earlier.”
Johnson’s résumé made the missed opportunities look even worse. He won two Super Bowls with the Eagles and earned six Pro Bowl selections. The Associated Press named him an All-Pro five times, including two first-team honors. Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie, whom Johnson thanked in his retirement letter, said Tuesday there is “no doubt in my mind that one day he will be named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.” Johnson becomes eligible in 2032.
His career also included two suspensions for violating the NFL’s performance-enhancing drug policy, costing him four games in 2014 and 10 in 2016.
On the field, his importance to Philadelphia was difficult to overstate. According to NBC Sports Philadelphia, the Eagles have gone 98-42-1 with Johnson and 15-29 without him since 2016, including the playoffs.
Philadelphia has dealt with his absence before. Johnson briefly stepped away in 2021 while managing anxiety, and a Lisfranc sprain in November 2025 ended his season. After recovering, he said, “I still feel I can be a premier tackle in this league.”
Against the Rams, rookie third-round pick Markel Bell started at right tackle. The Eagles led 20-10 after three quarters before Kyren Williams ran for two fourth-quarter touchdowns. Philadelphia went 0 for 12 on third down, and Jalen Hurts was sacked four times. Bell is expected to start again, according to the team’s website. Coach Nick Sirianni said Monday, “I thought he was solid.”
The Eagles are 2-2 and face Jacksonville on Sunday in London. The Jaguars took Joeckel at No. 2 in 2013, two picks before Philadelphia drafted Johnson.