The Eagles are bringing back swing tackle Fred Johnson on a one-year deal, a league source confirmed to NBC Sports Philadelphia.
This is a big boost for the Eagles’ offensive line depth in 2026.
NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero first reported the signing on Tuesday evening.
Johnson, 28, has been a key backup offensive tackle for the Eagles over the last couple of years with 14 starts in the regular season. Johnson started 6 games in 2024 and 8 games last year. Johnson played 626 offensive snaps (59%) in 2025 after playing 481 (52%) in 2024.
He has filled in at both left tackle and right tackle during his time with the Eagles and is a valuable backup for both left tackle Jordan Mailata and right tackle Lane Johnson.
Last season, Johnson started the final seven games of the regular season and had to start the playoff game at right tackle in place of Lane Johnson.
If you need an example of how key Johnson was in 2025, just think back to Week 3. The Eagles tried to play Matt Pryor at right tackle against the Rams after Lane Johnson had to exit, and it was a disaster. The offense wasn’t able to settle back in until Fred Johnson was put in the game.
“What a great trade by Howie to get Fred here,” head coach Nick Sirianni said after that win. “I just know that Howie is relentless in what he does of always helping this football team get better. He saw a need for us, what we needed with Fred there and went out and did the things he needed to do to get him.”
Big Fred left the Eagles last offseason to join the Jaguars for a chance to earn a starting gig. That didn’t happen but just before the season began, Eagles general manager Howie Roseman pulled off a trade to bring Johnson back to Philly. In the interim, the Eagles signed veteran Kendall Lamm as their swing tackle in 2025 and that didn’t work out.
Even though he didn’t earn a starting spot elsewhere, Johnson was happy to return to Philly.
“It feels great to be back,” Johnson said last August. “Oh my God, I’m so excited, so ready. Just happy to be back in the city, happy to be back with this team. Continue to keep the train rolling.”
A big difference with the Eagles this year is that longtime offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland stepped down this offseason and has been replaced by former Vikings OL coach Chris Kuper under new OC Sean Mannion. Johnson has credited Stout for helping save his career. Johnson arrived in Philly on the practice squad in 2022 but has played in every game for the Eagles since 2023.
Earlier this offseason, the Eagles lost their top interior backup offensive lineman when Brett Toth signed a one-year deal with the 49ers. So it was important for the Eagles to get Johnson back in 2026.
The Eagles will return their entire starting offensive line in 2026: Jordan Mailata, Landon Dickerson, Cam Jurgens, Tyler Steen and Lane Johnson. And now we know they’re also bringing back their top backup.