Eagles’ Lane Johnson signals end of 14-year career citing family priorities
The 36-year-old All-Pro stated his 14th season with Philadelphia will “probably” be his last, marking a shift in focus toward caring for his parents after a career defined by two Super Bowl titles and multiple honours.
Philadelphia Eagles All-Pro offensive lineman Lane Johnson has indicated that his 14th season in the National Football League will likely be his final one. The 36-year-old player, a first-round draft pick in 2013, made the announcement on Saturday following training camp, noting that his priorities are increasingly shifting toward life outside of professional football.
Johnson’s comments come after he missed four days of training camp earlier this week for personal reasons before returning to practice on Friday. He attributed the recent absence to family matters, specifically the responsibility of caring for his parents. This marks a distinct departure from his previous leave of absence in 2021, which was taken to address anxiety and depression, a period during which he also shared his experiences at local mental health clinics.
The veteran tackle, who has spent his entire career with Philadelphia, described himself as feeling physically capable of remaining a premier player in the league. He emphasised that his movement and overall condition feel good, despite an injury-plagued 2024 season where he missed the final seven regular-season games and a wild-card playoff loss to the San Francisco 49ers.
Johnson’s potential retirement was crystallised through conversations with his family and the physical demands of the previous season. He acknowledged that while he loves the game and the preparation it requires, he has reached a point in his career where family obligations are taking precedence. He stated that his teammates are already aware of his consideration to end his career.
A two-time Super Bowl champion and six-time Pro Bowl selection, Johnson has received first-team All-Pro honours in 2017 and 2022, along with second-team recognition in 2021, 2023, and 2024. His career has also included suspensions for violations of the league’s policy on performance-enhancing substances, including a 10-game ban in 2016 and a four-game suspension in 2014.
Looking ahead, Johnson expressed a desire to finish his career on a high note. He plans to “soak in” the remaining six to seven months of his season, aiming for a strong performance in what he described as potentially his last year. He confirmed that he intends to have a really good final season before stepping away from the sport.
