Those who undervalue offensive line play received a harsh reminder of its importance in 2025, a season in which Johnson missed eight games, including the Eagles’ playoff loss to San Francisco in the Wild Card Round. Without the rock-solid right tackle in the lineup, Philadelphia’s offense struggled significantly, failing to run the ball consistently despite still featuring 2024 AP NFL Offensive Player of the Year Saquon Barkley.
During Johnson’s absence — a stretch that began after Week 11 — the Eagles lost five of their final eight games. Plenty of problems were to blame, but once Johnson exited, it was painfully obvious how important he was to the offensive operation.
As he approaches his 36th birthday in May, Johnson won’t eye retirement just yet. He’ll return to handle some unfinished business — which will include leading an offensive line that will venture into a new season without longtime OL coach Jeff Stoutland — and solidify the right side of what became a leaky line in his absence.