One day after legendary Eagles' defensive end Brandon Graham announced his retirement from the NFL after 15 seasons, tackle Lane Johnson officially signed his one-year contract extension on Wednesday.
With Graham riding into the sunset with the most games and seasons played as an Eagle, Johnson became the longest tenured active player on the team heading into Year 13.
The six-time Pro Bowl selection's contract extension keeps him in Philadelphia through the 2027 season, which would be his 15th, tying Graham.
"It's been a fun ride. Coming into the NFL, you don't know what to expect, but this fan base has really embraced me through the good and the bad. I think that the culture here has been a certain way for a long time," Johnson said. "I felt like I was introduced to something special and in some aspects, we were able to carry on tradition – I think that's what I'm most proud of. And with new teammates coming in, showing them what Philadelphia is about, what this teams about, and what it's like in this building."
A first-round draft pick out of Oklahoma in 2013, Johnson has been a dominant force on the offensive line. The 6-foot-6 tackle has been named an All-Pro five times in his illustrious career and added his second Super Bowl Trophy to his resume this past season.
There were no signs of slowing down in the 2024 season for Johnson, who ranked first among NFL right tackles in Pro Football Focus pass-blocking grade (88.1), pressure percentage (2.2 percent), and knockdown percentage (0.2 percent) all without allowing a sack.
"I never wanted to go to another team. The Eagles have always been there for me good or bad," Johnson said.
"They've (Eagles) been pivotal in my development as a player and as a person off the field. I couldn't be more excited about staying here. It's very rare that a person can stay with one team for 10+ years. My goal is to play well throughout my middle to maybe upper 30s, which I'm looking forward to.
"I love the challenge of being an older player and the routine you have to keep up with. I think that's what I love most about football – the conflict and the constant trying to improve. I think the people I'm in the building with have a similar mindset, so when you combine all these things, I think that's why we've had success in the past 10 years and why they will have success long after I'm gone."
Johnson helped the Eagles offensive line and running back Saquon Barkley set a club-record 3,048 rushing yards. The team also finished second in rushing yards per game (179.3).
Each offseason matters more and more the older the 34-year-old gets. The preparation for taking care of his body and making sure he can withstand a 17 game+ season has no end.
"Really focused on what I needed to attack each offseason as far as becoming a better play. Year after year, I feel like I've progressed, but for me, it's about being strong and a lot of it's about being able to bend. A lot of players, as they age, lose that ability to explode and to burst," Johnson said.
"I just think with how we have the strength and conditioning program here, the stuff we do in the offseason – I feel really good. As long as I'm feeling good and I fee like I can contribute, I think I'll continue to play. That's all I've really known. I love my football family. I'm an only child, so, my brothers are and have always been in the locker room and that's how I feel." – Written by Liam Wichser
