LANE’S THE MAN | Former KC standout now the elder statesman for the Philadelphia Eagles / From PRO FOOTBALL TALK

EDITOR’S NOTE: Philadelphia Eagles offensive lineman Lane Johnson, the Eagles’ right tackle, is now the longest-tenured member of the team, who will be the defending Super Bowl champions when the 2025 season begins. Johnson, a Groveton native that has helped the Eagles win two Super Bowls, began his college career at Kilgore College as a QUARTERBACK, believe it or not, transferred to Oklahoma and became an offensive lineman there. He’s been gold ever since. In this story by Josh Alper of ProFootballTalk.com, Johnson talks about now being the Eagles’ elder statesman.

Right tackle Lane Johnson became the longest-tenured member of the Eagles when defensive end Brandon Graham announced his retirement this week and Johnson is set to hold onto that title for a while.

Johnson signed a one-year extension with the team that puts him under contract in Philadelphia through the 2027 season. It would be Johnson’s 15th season with the team and he said this week that “it’s very possible” for him to be playing at a high level at 37.

Johnson said he loves “the challenge of being an older player” and the work that has to be done in order to remain on the field, especially because ankle issues earlier in his career had left him wondering if he would be able to keep playing.

“You know, a few years ago when I was coming back from all these surgeries, I thought my body was going to start failing or going downhill,” Johnson said, via Reuben Frank of NBCSportsPhiladelphia.com. “But I just think with the strength and conditioning program we have here and the stuff we do in the offseason, I feel really good. So, yeah, as long as I’m feeling good and I feel like I can contribute, I think I’ll continue to play. It’s all I’ve really known. I just love my football family. I’m an only child, so my brothers are here and have always been in the locker room, and that’s how I feel.”

Johnson has missed minimal time in the last few seasons and his play has remained strong, so the question may shift from making it to 2027 to whether there’s another contract in his future.