Circumstances brought veteran offensive tackle Fred Johnson back to the Philadelphia Eagles for the 2025 NFL season. But unless there’s an open starting opportunity, Johnson won’t be back with the Eagles once again.
The tackle made that clear in the days following the team’s postseason defeat in the NFC wild card round.
“I feel like I proved this year that I’m a starter in this league,” Johnson told PennLive’s Johnny McGonigal on Monday. “I don’t think there’s any going back now. There’s no going back to the swing tackle role, the guy who fills in.
“I think I’ve shown that I’m a starter, and I’m here to get what I deserve.”
Including the playoffs, Johnson started the final nine games of the past season for Philadelphia. Since the start of 2024, Johnson has started 15 contests for the Eagles.
But those opportunities came because of injuries, and there doesn’t appear to be a clear path for Johnson to have a starting role in Philadelphia to begin 2026.
Two All-Pro Tackles Blocking Fred Johnson From Starting With Eagles
Johnson proved to be at least a serviceable offensive tackle for the second year in a row with the Eagles. Just like 2024, Johnson started games at both left and right tackle this past season.
But as is the case with pretty much any tackle, Johnson’s best case scenario would be to settle in on one side and start next fall.
The problem Johnson has with the Eagles is it’s hard to foresee that starting tackle opportunity coming in Philadelphia.
Eagles offensive tackles Lane Johnson and Jordan Mailata each made second-team All-Pro in 2024. Mailata is under contract through 2028, which makes him the front runner at left tackle for the foreseeable future.
Lane Johnson will turn 36 in May. He missed seven games because of injury during the 2025 regular season.
It wouldn’t be surprising if the Eagles want insurance in case Lane Johnson deals with issues again. But it sounds as though Fred Johnson isn’t the right choice if he’s not going to be penciled into the lineup each week.
What Johnson Will Bring to the Table in NFL Free Agency
Johnson previously tried to leave the Eagles. Actually, he did leave, signing a 1-year deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars last season.
Jacksonville, though, traded the tackle back to Philadelphia for a 2026 seventh-round pick in August. The Eagles proved to need the depth, as Johnson started a career-high eight contests.
The return to Philadelphia and a swing-tackle role was likely a jarring one for Johnson. But it’s one he embraced and played well in once again to help the team win the NFC East.
But going into 2026, Johnson is focused on maximizing opportunities for himself.
“I’ve got goals. I’ve got things I want to achieve in my life,” Johnson said. “I’m always going to try to stay at home, and this is home. But I’ve got to handle my business.”
Johnson has appeared in 79 NFL games, starting 22 of them, over his seven-year career. In addition to Philadelphia, he’s played in games for the Cincinnati Bengals and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Veteran Starter Puts Eagles on Notice Ahead of NFL Free Agency