The Eagles continue to build their 2026 roster, and now we know that OT Fred Johnson will be part of their plan, after signing a new one-year deal to keep him in Philadelphia.
Johnson tested free agency in 2025, and after a brief stint with the Jacksonville Jaguars, Howie Roseman picked up the phone and made a trade to bring him back to the Eagles. It ended up being one of the more important acquisitions last year, as Lane Johnson would eventually be knocked out for the rest of the season due a Lisfranc injury, and Fred was right there to step in.
Fred was offered a contract to stay in Philly last season, but at the time, he wanted to capitalize on his ascension and wanted to be a starter — not just Lane Johnson’s backup. Ultimately, that wasn’t going to happen in Jacksonville, and his return to the Eagles gave him another opportunity earn a starting spot.
He played a career-high 626 offensive snaps in 2025, but only ranked 71st out of 94 tackles (minimum 20 percent snaps). The Eagles offensive line struggled in more than just one way, and the run game stalled as a result. Still, it wasn’t all Fred’s fault, and he still did an admirable job filling in for arguably the best right tackle in the NFL.
With Fred coming back to Philadelphia in 2026, it seems to indicate that he’s accepted his role as a backup and think he still has the best chance to thrive with the Eagles. The team has a new offensive line coach, Chris Kuper, and we’ll have to see how that affects Fred’s development and future.
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