Philadelphia Eagles right tackle Lane Johnson announced his retirement on Tuesday, ending a 14-season career with the team. Johnson, who played his entire NFL tenure in Philadelphia, cited personal and family priorities and a need to focus on his mental health as key factors in his decision.
Johnson’s statement posted on X read: “At this time, I have made the incredibly difficult decision to retire from the National Football League. [...] Right now, it is critical that I focus on my mental health. I owe it to my teammates, coaches, the organization and the fans to have my head and heart 100 percent in the game. And right now my heart is telling me that it’s time to say goodbye to football.”
The retirement comes four games into the 2025 NFL season, marking an abrupt departure after Johnson had previously expressed a desire to play one more year. He stated: “I deeply wanted to gut it out for one more year; to take the field with my brothers for one last season. But after a lot of reflection, I’ve realized that my personal and family priorities in my life have changed.”
Career highlights and contributions
Johnson, 36, was the fourth overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft and spent his entire career with the Eagles. He started 171 regular-season games and 15 postseason games, earning six Pro Bowl selections and five All-Pro honors, including first-team recognition in 2017 and 2022. Johnson was a key member of the offensive lines that won Super Bowl LII (2018) and Super Bowl LIX (2025), the latter of which featured a season in which he blocked for Saquon Barkley’s record rushing year.
In his statement, Johnson thanked Eagles chairman and CEO Jeffrey Lurie for taking “a kid from small-town East Texas” and highlighted the privilege of “riding up Broad Street as a world champion twice.” He added: “Philadelphia will always be home, and I will forever be an Eagle.”
Team and league reactions
Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni expressed admiration for Johnson, stating: “I love Lane. I’ll miss him dearly and I wish him the best. Just want him to be his best.” Sirianni emphasized Johnson’s impact beyond football, calling him a “phenomenal player” and “much more.”
Johnson’s retirement follows his 2021 leave of absence for anxiety and depression and his consideration of stepping away during the 2024 offseason after a foot injury sidelined him for the final eight games. He was also a late scratch for the Eagles’ Week 3 game against the Los Angeles Rams for personal reasons.
The move triggers a roster adjustment for the Eagles, who are currently 2-2 through four games of the 2025 season. Johnson’s departure adds to recent roster changes, including the team’s decision to part ways with center Cam Jurgens the day after his retirement announcement.
Background on Johnson’s public statements
Johnson has been open about his struggles with severe anxiety and depression, including a 2021 leave of absence and discussions about mental health during his career. His retirement statement marks another public acknowledgment of the challenges he has faced in balancing professional demands with personal well-being.