Pro Football Rumors
The Eagles continue to be active in the trade market in the leadup to the regular season. Following earlier trades to acquire wide receiver John Metchie from Houston and quarterback Sam Howell from Minnesota, Philadelphia is bringing offensive tackle Fred Johnson back from Jacksonville in exchange for a 2026 seventh-round pick, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Johnson came into the league as an undrafted free agent out of Florida in 2019, initially signing with the Steelers and making the 53-man roster but getting waived in October without playing a game and being claimed by the Bengals. He spent three years in Cincinnati as a backup lineman. In those three seasons, he appeared in 23 games, making starts in eight of them. The team placed a restricted free agent tender on him in 2022, and though he signed it, he was cut.
Johnson quickly rebounded, landing with the Buccaneers, but after five game appearances, Tampa Bay waived him, as well. After clearing waivers, he signed to the Eagles practice squad and watched from the practice squad as they lost in the Super Bowl to Kansas City.
After signing a reserve/futures contract with the team, Johnson earned a swing tackle role behind starters Jordan Mailata and Lane Johnson. The team gave him a two-year contract for the role, in which he appeared in all 17 games of the 2023 season. His presence was felt even more in 2024. In addition to appearing in every game of the season, Johnson made six spot starts — one at right tackle and five on the blind side.
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