The Eagles announced Friday that All Pro right tackle Lane Johnson agreed to a four-year, $72 million deal of which $54.595 is guaranteed.
The contract's numbers were reported by Mike Garafolo of NFL.com. In terms of per-year value ($18M), this is the most lucrative contract given to an offensive lineman.
Johnson's existing contract runs through 2021.
Shortly after the announcement, Johnson joined a handful of Philadelphia reporters to talk about his record deal.
The 29-year-old was asked about how he and Brandon Brooks are now the highest paid offensive linemen in the game.
“I think we’ve come a long way since the beginning of my career,” Johnson said. “The more we work together the better we’ve become. Also, I think we’re the best right side in the league. Ultimately, it’s a team game and you have to go prove it each and every week. I’m blessed to play next to him. The Eagles are a great organization and having Stout (o-line coach Jeff Stoutland) helping me out throughout these years is probably the biggest part of my success. A lot of credit goes to him.”
Johnson was asked about the timing of the deal and if he was surprised it happened with two seasons left on his current contract.
“We had a feeling it was going to happen this year,” Johnson said. “This organization has a history of getting contracts done early, making smart moves. I figured it was a smart move for me. I felt comfortable with it. I want to be an Eagle the rest of my career. Moving forward, that’s all I want to be.”
Johnson was reminded he will be 35 years old when this new deal is set to expire. Does he realistically think he will make to the end of the contract?
“That’s the goal,” Johnson said. “So, we’ll see.”
Pro athletes have said over the years that the level of respect an organization gives its athlete is through the contract it offers its players. Does Johnson feel the Eagles have shown the top level of respect to him making him, at least at this moment, the highest paid offensive lineman in the NFL?
In his answer, Johnson showed a level of self-depreciation not seen often in pro athletes today.
“Yeah. I mean to be honest, the money…it’s a good feeling but ultimately when you’re playing the game, it’s all about your teammates and what you do day-to-day with respect to how you carry yourself, how you present yourself. I did a bad job of that early in my career. I hope to improve on that for the remainder of my career.” *
Follow Al Thompson on Twitter @thompsoniii