A Blast From The Past: Lane Johnson

Lane Johnson was born on May 8, 1990, in Groveton, Texas. Growing up, Johnson was a multi-sport athlete who enjoyed competing and would eventually find his passion in football. Johnson attended Groveton High School, where he played quarterback and also competed in track and field. Although he was a talented athlete, Johnson wasn't always viewed as a future NFL star, and his journey to becoming one of the best offensive linemen in football would take a few unexpected turns. Coming out of high school, Johnson wasn't heavily recruited by major college football programs, which meant he would have to take a different path if he wanted to reach the next level.

Johnson would eventually attend Kilgore College in Texas, where he played quarterback for the Rangers. During his time there, he continued to develop his football skills while gaining experience playing at the collegiate level. However, Johnson's future would eventually take a major turn when he transferred to the University of Oklahoma. When he first arrived at Oklahoma, Johnson wasn't immediately an offensive tackle. He initially played tight end before spending time on the defensive line. Eventually, the coaching staff would move him to offensive tackle, where he would finally find the position that would define his career. This transition would end up being one of the most important decisions of his life, as Johnson would develop into one of the most talented offensive linemen in college football.

Johnson would have an impressive senior season at Oklahoma in 2012. He would become the team's starting left tackle, protecting quarterback Landry Jones and helping the Sooners' offense have another productive year. Johnson's size, athleticism, and ability to move quickly for a player of his stature made him an intriguing prospect for NFL teams. After spending years transitioning between positions and working to improve his game, Johnson was finally beginning to receive the recognition he deserved. He would eventually enter the 2013 NFL Draft, where the Philadelphia Eagles selected him fourth overall in the first round. This was a huge accomplishment for someone who began his college career playing quarterback at a junior college. The Eagles were clearly confident that Johnson could become a cornerstone of their offensive line for years to come.

Johnson would immediately become the Eagles' starting right tackle during his rookie season in 2013. He would start all 16 games and help protect quarterback Nick Foles during a season in which Philadelphia won the NFC East and returned to the playoffs. Although the Eagles would lose to the New Orleans Saints in the Wild Card round, Johnson had shown that he could compete at the NFL level. He would continue to be an important part of the offensive line during the following seasons, helping protect quarterbacks and create running lanes for the Eagles' offense. However, his early career would also include some challenges, including suspensions that caused him to miss games in 2014 and 2016. Despite these setbacks, Johnson continued to work on his game and establish himself as one of the team's most important players.

Johnson would really begin to establish himself as one of the best offensive tackles in football during the 2017 season. The Eagles would have an incredible year, finishing the regular season with a 13-3 record and earning the top seed in the NFC. Johnson was a major part of the team's success, helping provide protection for quarterback Carson Wentz and opening up opportunities for the running game. He would earn his first Pro Bowl selection and be named a first-team All-Pro, showing that he was becoming one of the best players at his position. Unfortunately, Johnson would suffer a season-ending injury late in the regular season, leaving some uncertainty about whether he would be able to return for the playoffs. However, the Eagles would continue their incredible run without him before eventually reaching Super Bowl LII against the New England Patriots. Philadelphia would defeat New England 41-33, winning the first Super Bowl championship in franchise history. Johnson's contributions throughout the season helped the Eagles reach that point, and the championship would become one of the defining moments of his career.

Johnson would continue to be one of the Eagles' most reliable players over the following seasons. He would earn consecutive Pro Bowl selections in 2018 and 2019, becoming a major part of an offensive line that helped Philadelphia remain competitive in the NFC. While the team experienced some difficult seasons and dealt with injuries throughout the roster, Johnson continued to perform at a high level. One of the most impressive things about Johnson is that offensive linemen don't always receive the same attention as quarterbacks, running backs, and wide receivers. However, Johnson's ability to protect the quarterback and help the running game made him an essential part of the Eagles' offense. His performances would eventually put him into conversations about the best right tackles in the NFL.

The 2022 season would be another special year for Johnson and the Eagles. Philadelphia would finish the regular season with a 14-3 record, earning the top seed in the NFC and making another deep playoff run. Johnson would have one of the best seasons of his career, earning another first-team All-Pro selection and a Pro Bowl nod. He was a major part of an offensive line that helped the Eagles establish one of the league's most dangerous offenses. Philadelphia would eventually reach Super Bowl LVII against the Kansas City Chiefs. Unfortunately, the Eagles would lose a close game, falling 38-35 after Kansas City scored late in the fourth quarter. Even though the season ended in disappointment, Johnson had continued to show why he was considered one of the best offensive linemen in football. His consistency and ability to perform in big games made him a key piece of the Eagles' championship ambitions.

Johnson would continue to add to his list of accomplishments during the 2023 and 2024 seasons. He would earn Pro Bowl selections in both years and receive second-team All-Pro recognition, further establishing his reputation as one of the NFL's top offensive tackles. The 2024 season would be especially memorable for Philadelphia, as the Eagles would put together another impressive campaign behind a powerful offensive line. Johnson helped create running lanes for Saquon Barkley, who rushed for 2,005 yards during the regular season after joining Philadelphia. The Eagles would eventually reach Super Bowl LIX against the Kansas City Chiefs, where they would get their revenge for the loss two seasons earlier. Philadelphia would dominate Kansas City in a 40-22 victory, giving Johnson his second Super Bowl championship. Winning two championships with the same franchise is an incredible achievement, and Johnson had been a major part of both championship teams.

Unfortunately, Johnson would deal with injuries during the 2025 season, appearing in just 10 regular-season games. Even with the challenges of staying healthy, he remained an important part of the Eagles' offensive line and continued to provide valuable experience to the team. Entering the 2026 season, Johnson has been open about the possibility that this could be his final year in the NFL. At 36 years old, he has spent more than a decade playing at one of football's most physically demanding positions, and he has accomplished just about everything a player could hope to achieve. As of the beginning of October 2026, Johnson remains with the Eagles, continuing to compete while potentially approaching the end of his career. He has earned six Pro Bowl selections, five Associated Press All-Pro honors, and two Super Bowl championships during his time in Philadelphia.

One thing you can't deny about Johnson is that his career has been an incredible story of hard work, perseverance, and development. From playing quarterback at a junior college to becoming the fourth overall pick in the NFL Draft, Johnson took a path that was far from ordinary. He would eventually become one of the best offensive tackles in football and a key part of two Super Bowl championship teams in Philadelphia. In my opinion, Johnson doesn't always get the same recognition as some of the Eagles' more flashy players, but his importance to the team's success cannot be overlooked. Protecting the quarterback and creating opportunities for the running game are some of the most important jobs in football, and Johnson has done both at an elite level for years. Whether this ends up being his final season or he decides to continue playing, his legacy with the Eagles is already secure. Johnson has helped define an era of Philadelphia football, and Eagles fans will always remember him as one of the greatest offensive linemen to wear the midnight green.

Photo Credits: Yahoo Sports