Nick Sirianni has worked with several talented linemen during his time in the NFL, and the Eagles head coach puts right tackle Lane Johnson at the top of the list.
“To me, he’s the best tackle that I’ve been around in my 12, 13 years in the NFL,” Sirianni said this week.
Sirianni has been around Pro Bowl offensive tackles like Russell Okung and Branden Albert during his career, but Johnson, a 2017 first-team All-Pro, takes the cake at the position.
Johnson, 31, took a three-game leave of absence earlier this season to deal with mental health issues. The Eagles went 1-2 during that absence, but since Johnson’s return in Week 7 against the Las Vegas Raiders, the Eagles are 3-2 and are averaging 201 rushing yards per game.
While Sirianni credits the entire offensive line, including perennial Pro Bowl center Jason Kelce, for the recent turnaround, Johnson is a major factor in the Eagles’ offensive success.
“Huge role,” Sirianni said. “When I look at our offensive line it’s led by [Kelce] and[Johnson]. I know Jason sets the table for everything of what we’re going to do, where we’re going with the point, everything like that. And it’s those two guys really, really carry us.”
Johnson has a respectable Pro Football Focus grade of 73.4 through eight games this season. He’s yet to allow a sack and has given up only eight hurries and a QB hit to this point.
In his ninth season, Johnson is playing at a high level, and the 6-foot-6, 317-pound lineman has helped quarterback Jalen Hurts find his groove in-and-out of the pocket over the past four games.
“Lane has been playing outstanding,” Sirianni said. “He’s just so big and powerful.”
But size and strength aren’t the only qualities that make Johnson special. He’s an elite, versatile athlete at the tackle position, and Sirianni says that’s what separates Johnson from the rest of the tackles the coach has been around.
“He’s somebody that can lockdown his side in pass protection,” Sirianni said. “[He’s also] powerful and technically sound in the run game of fitting double-team blocks on his way to the linebacker. ... It’s been on full display for the last four weeks.”
Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to us.
Mike Kaye may be reached at mkaye@njadvancemedia.com.
Ad Choices