Philadelphia Eagles brass covered a wide range of topics during Thursday’s end-of-season press conference, reflecting on a campaign that ended prematurely in the Wild Card Round.
General manager Howie Roseman and head coach Nick Sirianni discussed whether they’d trade star receiver AJ Brown and what they’ll prioritize in their search for an offensive coordinator.
Roseman was also asked if offensive tackle Lane Johnson will return for next season.
“I think all those conversations that we have with our players are between us and anything they’re doing,” Roseman told reporters. “I’m not saying anything negatively or positively, but anyone you ask about, I think that’s their business to discuss.
“Obviously, you’re talking about a Hall of Fame player who’s been a huge, huge part of any of our success that we’ve had, and when you watch him play, he’s still playing at an elite level.”
Eagles’ Offense Suffered in Johnson’s Absence
Johnson was limited to 10 games after suffering a Lisfranc injury in a Week 11 win over the Detroit Lions. Earlier in the season, Johnson dealt with a left ankle injury but played through it.
While there was some initial hope that Johnson would return before the end of the season, he was not able to get back on the field in time for the playoffs. The defending Super Bowl champions lost 23-19 to the San Francisco 49ers, ending their shot at a repeat.
The Eagles saw a sharp decline in their offensive production, resulting in play-caller Kevin Patullo being fired. They dropped from seventh (27.2) to 19th (22.3) in scoring, while their offensive efficiency sagged from fourth to 19th.
Johnson Under Contract With Eagles Through 2028
Johnson’s future is shaping up to be one of the biggest storylines of the Eagles’ offseason. He is under contract through the 2028 season but is 35 years old and has battled numerous injuries.
At the same time, Johnson has continued to perform at a high level when healthy. The five-time All-Pro and six-time Pro Bowler ranked 18th out of 89 tackles with a 77.4 grade this season, according to Pro Football Focus.
The Eagles were 8-2 with him and just 3-5 without him.
Eagles Send Message on Lane Johnson’s Future After Injury-Plagued Season