Philadelphia Eagles Owner Reacts to Lane Johnson's Surprise Retirement

The Philadelphia Eagles were hit with a big blow on Tuesday, as All-Pro right tackle Lane Johnson officially announced his retirement from the NFL after 14 seasons, effectively immediately.

Johnson is an Eagles legend and one of the best offensive linemen in the history of the NFL, and he will be almost impossible to replace for Philadelphia. But at the end of the day, some things are bigger than football, and Johnson clearly feels like he’s making the best decision for himself and his family.

Eagles Owner Jeffrey Lurie Shares Statement Following Lane Johnson’s Retirement

After news of Johnson’s retirement broke, Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie quickly released a statement expressing gratitude and appreciation for Johnson’s enormous impact on the organization, both on and off of the field.

“Lane Johnson is an all-time Eagle and one of the best players ever to play his position in NFL history. Lane was a major contributor to our team success for 14 seasons, helping to bring two Super Bowl championships and many other memorable moments to the organization and the city of Philadelphia,” Lurie wrote.

“Lane excelled under multiple coaching staffs, maintaining an elite level of play throughout his entire career. His combination of talent, strength, athleticism, and intelligence made him a truly unique player in this league, and there is no doubt in my mind that one day he will be named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

“Beyond his on-field accomplishments, Lane has done a tremendous amount to give back to the community through his numerous charitable endeavors. The courage he has shown using his own personal experiences to advocate for mental health awareness has undoubtedly saved lives.

“We appreciate everything Lane has contributed to our organization, and we wish him and his family nothing but the best.”

Over the course of his illustrious career, Johnson received six Pro Bowl nods, he was named an All-Pro five times and he helped the Eagles win two Super Bowls. His impact on the Eagles organization will never be forgotten, and he’s a virtual lock to be elected to the Eagles Hall-of-Fame, in addition to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Lane Johnson’s Retirement Leaves Eagles with Huge Hole on Offensive Line

From a football perspective, Johnson’s retirement leaves the Eagles with a huge hole on the offensive line. Rookie Markel Bell started in Johnson’s place at right tackle in Week 4, and struggled, as expected. Veteran offensive lineman Fred Johnson has been dealing with a knee injury, but he should probably be expected to take over as the starter when healthy. Neither of those guys are Lane Johnson, though.

Philadelphia’s offensive line was already struggling this season, and Johnson’s departure will only add to those struggles. The right side of the line has long been a strength for Philadelphia given Johnson’s presence, but that is no longer the case. Johnson may have been slowing down a bit, but he was still elite. His retirement leaves the Eagles with another question in what is starting to feel like a doomed season.