For the first time in what seems like an eternity, the Eagles are officially in a rebuilding mode instead of the “retooling” they were so insistent on doing in years past. One of the fundamental processes of rebuilding a roster is the need to trade old players to clear up not only cap space but also room for younger players to get a chance to get some game experience. Many names have been brought up as potential cap casualties for the Eagles this offseason, such as Brandon Graham, Fletcher Cox, Darius Slay and more… but one name many fans are forgetting about is Lane Johnson.
Of the names previously mentioned Lane Johnson likely has the most value of anyone besides Fletcher Cox, especially for contending teams that want to ensure the health of their quarterback by adding one of the best offensive tackles in the league. The former fourth overall pick from the 2013 draft has appeared in three pro bowls and was an All-Pro in 2017 when he was a major piece of the Eagles Super Bowl run. As good as Johnson has been however, he has had his fair share of missed time in career.
Coming off an ankle injury that ended his 2020 season, Lane Johnson looks to enter his ninth season in midnight green, though injuries and suspensions have plagued his time with the Eagles and he hasn’t played a full season since 2015. Johnson will be 31 years old by the time next season begins, and when you combine that his body is likely taking an extreme toll from his injuries with the fact that one more negative PED test means a two-season suspension, Johnson would be a perfect candidate to get shipped off of a rebuilding team and onto a competitor.
I won’t argue that it is extremely important to protect your quarterback, and because of this I wouldn’t be opposed to the idea of keeping Lane Johnson on a restructured contract so that they could so. However Jalen Hurts is getting a test run in 2020 and by no means has earned the title of a franchise quarterback, so by parting ways with Lane Johnson the Eagles would not be risking the health of a player they look to build their team around (such was often the reasoning for keeping older lineman on the roster at a high cap figure when Wentz was on the team).
Also the Eagles currently have two young options at OT on the roster that have shown flashes of potential in Jordan Mailata and Andre Dillard. I believe that Jordan Mailata has shown enough growth in his short career to trust with one of the two tackle positions and though Andre Dillard has struggled at times, he was a first round pick just a few years ago and has a great frame for an NFL lineman.
Although last season spoke volumes to the importance of offensive line depth after a flurry of injuries derailed the Eagles season, I believe they should try and move Johnson for either draft capital or a young player who can be a foundational piece for a roster looking to compete a few years down the road.
Unless Nick Sirianni and Jalen Hurts turn out to be one of the most impressive young coach-QB duos in the league, it’s likely the Eagles won’t be contenders again for another two or three years…
… Lane Johnson’s age restricts him from being a major part of any roster that far down the road, and Howie Roseman could (and should) look to part ways with the beloved lineman if it meant adding potential value to his future rosters.
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March 04, 2021 at 09:42AM
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Should the Eagles Try to Trade Lane Johnson? - Philadelphia Sports Nation
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