Sports

Eagles Star Retires Abruptly

The Birds are losing another beloved franchise icon.

Eagles star Lane Johnson has announced his retirement after 14 seasons in the NFL.
Eagles star Lane Johnson has announced his retirement after 14 seasons in the NFL. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)

PHILADELPHIA, PA — All time Philadelphia Eagles great Lane Johnson announced his retirement unexpectedly on Tuesday, the organization confirmed.

In an emotional announcement posted to X, Johnson said he needed to prioritize his mental health.

"I deeply wanted to gut it out for one more year; to take the field with my brothers for one last season," Johnson said in an "But after a lot of reflection, I’ve realized that my personal and family priorities in my life have changed. Right now, it is critical that I focus on my mental health."

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His retirement is effective immediatley.

The right tackle, who is one of just four players to win Super Bowl rings in both 2018 and 2025, was also named to six Pro Bowl squads and received five All Pro selections. He's widely considered a future NFL Hall of Famer.

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Johnson has appeared in three games this year, and it was not known he was considering retirement. At age 36, it's not stunning, but Johnson implied there is more going on.

"I owe it to my teammates, coaches, the organization and the fans to have my head and heart 100 percent in the game," Johnson added. "And right now my heart is telling me that it’s time to say goodbye to football."

It comes just weeks after another all time great, Brandon Graham, also announced his retirement. Graham was one of the other four Eagles to be a part of both of those championship teams.

Johnson spent his entire 14-year career with the Birds after they took him 4th overall in the 2013 NFL draft.

Johnson's statement lavished praise on the Eagles franchise, Jeffrey Lurie, and the city of Philadelphia.

"Riding up Broad Street as a World Champion, not once, but twice, and seeing the city in all its glory was the ultimate privilege," he added. "I’ll never forget it."

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