Philadelphia Eagles offensive lineman Lane Johnson announced his retirement Tuesday.
Johnson was a surprise inactive for the Eagles’ Week 4 game and was cited as not playing for personal reasons.
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The offensive lineman spent 14 seasons with the Eagles and won two Super Bowls.
Johnson, 36, has considered retirement for the past few seasons. The lineman has long been a strong advocate for mental health, so he always made sure he and his family could continue his career in both areas.
Johnson played the first three weeks of the season, but decided it was time to hang up his cleats. He previously said this would likely be the final season of his career, but said in a statement that he was unable to finish the season.
“I really wanted to blow off steam for one more year, get on the field with my brothers for one last season,” Johnson said. “But after much reflection, I realized that my personal and family priorities in my life have changed. Right now, it is essential that I focus on my mental health.”
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The Eagles released a statement supporting Johnson and his decision.
Johnson is expected to eventually be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame once he qualifies in five years. He was a quarterback in college and even when he arrived at the University of Oklahoma, according to Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated.
He then moved to tight end, before finally converting to the offensive line. Philadelphia drafted Johnson with the fourth overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft.
The offensive lineman finishes his career as a six-time Pro Bowler and two-time First Team All-Pro.
As Johnson steps away from football, the Eagles will try to replicate his production on the line. Philadelphia is already short Landon Dickerson, who has been on injured reserve since Week 1.
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The Eagles’ projected offensive line so far includes standouts Jordan Mailata and Cam Jurgens, alongside Drew Kendall, Tyler Steen and Fred Johnson (no relation to Lane).
Philly has developed offensive line talent in the past and needs Kendall, Steen and Fred Johnson to step up. All of this comes at a time when Philadelphia’s offense is dealing with injuries to wide receiver DeVonta Smith, tight end Dallas Goedert and running backs Saquon Barkley and Tank Bigsby.
The Eagles will miss the production of Lane Johnson, however. According to Jori Epstein of Yahoo Sports, the Eagles are 112-58-1 since he was drafted in 2013. Philly is 18-28 in the games he has missed.
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