After longtime offensive line coach/run game coordinator Jeff Stoutland stepped down earlier this week, the Eagles may be facing even bigger changes up front. Right tackle Lane Johnson and left guard Landon Dickerson could retire, Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer said on his Uncovering the Birds podcast. Mike Garafolo of NFL Network hears similarly in regards to Dickerson.
Johnson, who signed an extension through 2027 less than a year ago, expressed confidence that he’d play out the contract. While McLane expects that to happen, Johnson is now contemplating his future in the wake of an injury-limited season. A Lisfranc sprain kept the 35-year-old stalwart out of the Eagles’ last seven regular-season games and their wild-card round loss to the 49ers.
At 27, it’s far more surprising that Dickerson may have played his last down. Dickerson inked an extension through 2028 two years ago. However, it’s clear that injuries have taken their toll on the five-year veteran.
Dating back to his college days at Florida State and Alabama, Dickerson has undergone 13 surgeries, including a right meniscus operation last August. Dickerson managed to make it back for Week 1, though an ankle injury later shelved him for two games.
When healthy enough to play, both Johnson and Dickerson have been full-time starters throughout their careers. Johnson has started in all 168 appearances since the Eagles chose the ex-Oklahoma Sooner fourth in the 2013 draft. He’s now a six-time Pro Bowler, a five-time All-Pro (three second-team selections, two first-team nods) and a two-time Super Bowl champion. Johnson, whom Pro Football Focus ranked 19th out of 86 qualifying tackles in 2025, is still capable of playing at a high level.
The same is true of Dickerson, PFF’s 28th-rated guard among 80 qualifiers this past season. Since the Eagles drafted him in the second round in 2021, Dickerson has started in 77 of 78 appearances and earned three Pro Bowl trips.
Like Johnson, he was an integral part of a line that helped lead the Eagles to their most recent Super Bowl title in 2024. They also played major roles in running back Saquon Barkley‘s 2,000-yard campaign, the ninth in league history.
With free agency a little over a month away and the draft coming up in April, Eagles general manager Howie Roseman is surely hoping for answers on the futures of Johnson and Dickerson sooner than later. That’s especially true with reserve linemen Fred Johnson and Brett Toth slated to hit the open market.
Thanks to Lane Johnson’s injury, Fred Johnson made eight starts in 2025. Fred Johnson said last month he’d like to re-sign with the Eagles, but he also considers himself as a starting-caliber player. If the 28-year-old sees a clearer path to playing time elsewhere, he could exit Philadelphia next month.
It may be easier to retain Toth, who has only made six starts in his five-year career. He picked up a career-high four this past season while logging 199 snaps at left guard and 164 at center. Re-signing Toth would at least give the Eagles more depth along the interior, where they could lose Dickerson.
Even if both Johnson and Dickerson hold off on retiring, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Roseman focus on replenishing the offensive line in the draft. Roseman hasn’t picked an O-lineman in the third round or higher since he chose right guard Tyler Steen in Round 3 (65th overall) in 2023. Steen is now fresh off his first season as a full-time starter. Steen, left tackle Jordan Mailata and center Cam Jurgens are locked in as starters heading into 2026, but there are now serious questions surrounding the other two spots.
Yikes. Both looked like they were really going through it last year, but this would be a big crater in that core.
On the brighter side, I’m picturing Jeff Stoutland in a Hawaiian shirt coaching them on how to work the grill and sit in pool furniture.
This would be fantastic for all Giants fans. I hope I’m not disappointed in the upcoming season. I’m very disappointed with the Yankees
Great run by Johnson…
Dickerson is a head scratcher at 27…but he knows his body best…and if the injuries are to much to overcome u call it quits before its to late…u gotta respect that…the young man has his whole life in front of him…
Both are HOF talents (Johnson has done enough to get in) and it would be sad to see Dickerson go so early
Dickerson looked like he was really hurting this season. I can only imagine how the injuries and wear and tear feel at that size.
Oh buddy!
after what eagles fans did to Patullo, what are they going to do to Sirianni if they ever get their hands on him?
Give him a hug and thank him for a second Super Bowl when I thought I might go my whole life without seeing even one Eagles Super Bowl win
Just another kick in the balls as an Iggles fan
Some would say deservedly so to Howie….
By what crazy logic is that
I hate the eagles with a passion. I live in Philly and have to listen to, and see, their filth. With that said, Howie is the best GM in the NFL and it’s really not close.
Hot stove click bait season
It is not click bait when reporting on actual concerns raised. Clickbait is the crap you read on Breitbart and Fox News.
And Daily Beast and HuffPost and any other propaganda outlet.
Speculation from local beat guys trying to create cintent
Come on Lane, the steroids will keep you going another year at least. Maybe he was told they would actually enforce the false start he makes on every play and decided it was time to hang it up.
Dickerson? No way. That’s insane! I understand with the injuries but man he’s so young still!
Oh God dammit. This off-season is going to be horrible
This just keeps getting worse…
So we’re shifting to a zone running scheme where only the left tackle can run.
The right tackle isn’t mobile at the moment, so much so that he may retire. The right guard is only serviceable. The center is great but has lower body issues that come and go. The left guard is great but always has had injury issues and this time may be so bad he may retire. The left tackle so far is ok
And we’re going with a zone run scheme in which the O line has to be agile and able to move well.
Looks like an offensive line remake is coming. It’s really not surprising that the guys who have been beat up a lot in such a physical offense are weighing hanging it up instead of learning a new scheme, given the injuries that they’ve had. Dickerson looked to have a long time left, but 13 surgeries is insane…because that’s pretty much full time rehab. If he has to do that, hurt, and learn a new scheme, Dickerson might just hang it up.
This doesn’t mean that the new offense will be good or will be bad, but I suppose Philly is tumbling into a major transition right now offensively. Fangio staying at least gives them consistency defensively…for another year. Howie probably was considering linemen anyway, but even if Dickerson and Johnson return, he’s sort of forced into addressing the position now.
These three would be a huge loss for the Eagles who may also trade away Brown and possibly Goedert. The OL will suffer greatly as well as the rest of the offense. This does not bode well for the Eagles.
These injuries are cumulative. If you’re financially comfortable, being able to walk without pain and getting a decent nights sleep might be the way to go.