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The Philadelphia Eagles will be ready to make some noise in 2026. Philadelphia disappointed during the playoffs last season and will look to find more success this fall. Their success should rely on strong play from their offense, which may include one of the NFL’s best overall players.
Eagles running back Saquon Barkley made a bold declaration this offseason. He named his teammate Lane Johnson as the best player in the NFL.
“I think he’s the best player in the NFL, definitely the best player on our team,” Barkley told ESPN this offseason.
It is easy to understand where Barkley is coming from. Johnson has been an institution on Philadelphia’s offensive line since joining the NFL back in 2013. The 36-year-old veteran has been one of the NFL’s best offensive linemen for years now, and his play has not dipped due to old age.
But Johnson’s future with the Eagles for the 2026 season has not always been certain.
Johnson dealt with a Lisfranc injury during the 2025 season, a tough injury for a lineman to recover from at an advanced age. He was rumored to be considering retirement back in February, especially after offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland decided to leave the Eagles.
Ultimately, Johnson decided to return for his 14th NFL season. That is great news for Barkley and the Eagles, as it brings stability to the right side of the o-line.
Perhaps Johnson will be invigorated by the addition of offensive coordinator Sean Mannion. Johnson has already spoke positively about the changes to Philly’s offensive scheme early in the offseason.
“Hopefully our offense won’t be as stagnant as it was last year, we’ll be able to evolve some,” Johnson said.
It will be fascinating to see how Johnson fits into Mannion’s new system. If it is a perfect fit, Johnson might even return for another season in 2027.
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