The Philadelphia Eagles will face the Jacksonville Jaguars missing two of their most decorated offensive linemen from the past decade: Lane Johnson and Cam Jurgens. Johnson abruptly retired while Jurgens was traded to the Baltimore Ravens, leaving the Eagles with a suddenly young offensive line to sort through.
Multiple sources told NFL Network that the Eagles plan to keep Johnson on the 53-man roster through the season rather than move him to the reserve/retired list. The strategy hinges on salary cap considerations — carrying Johnson until June 1 avoids cap acceleration hitting until 2028, whereas placing him on the retired list now would act as a release for cap purposes and sting financially.
Johnson received a $21.7 million option bonus before the season, and his retirement means he may owe back several million dollars, though the exact number remains undetermined. The NFLPA and NFL management council are involved in ongoing discussions about how to handle the money.
The Eagles also traded Jurgens, a two-time Pro Bowl center, along with a 2027 seventh-round pick, to the Ravens for a 2027 fifth-rounder and a 2028 second-rounder. Despite speculation about a sell-off, sources say GM Howie Roseman is not signaling a teardown — he’s just as likely to use that future second-rounder to acquire help this season. The roster moves reflect a team still believing it can win now, with talent across defense and proven players at key positions.
Source: ESPN NFL · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing