‘we'll Be In Good Hands': Lane Johnson Already Knows Who Will Replace Him

‘We'll be in good hands': Lane Johnson already knows who will replace him originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

Lane Johnson already has his successor picked out. And it’s a 22-year-old rookie who’s never played an NFL snap.

Johnson, who announced Saturday morning that he plans to retire after the 2026 season, spoke highly of Markel Bell, the rookie 3rd-round offensive tackle out of Miami of Florida.

He’s already seen enough of the kid to believe he can be the Eagles’ right tackle of the future.

It was Bell who took almost all the 1st-team reps while Johnson missed four days of practice to deal with personal issues back in Oklahoma.

“Yeah, man, he’s one of the best rookies I’ve been around, just as far as in the playbook, you know, no complaining,” Johnson said. “Haven’t heard him complaining one time. And just he’s always asking questions. So just a really like mature young man.”

Bell began his college career at Holmes Community College in Goodman, Miss., also where Hall of Fame offensive tackle Walter Jones began his career. 

After two years at Holmes, he spent two years at Miami, where he was a two-year starter at left tackle. The Eagles selected him in April with the draft pick they got from the Jets in exchange for Haason Reddick.

“I trust this organization with drafting well,” Johnson said. “They always do their homework. We’ve had class-act guys coming in year in, year out, the success we’ve had. So, yeah, man, they look at traits.”

Howie Roseman’s track record of finding elite offensive linemen is remarkable. The Eagles have had 13 Pro Bowl offensive linemen since 1970 and Roseman has either drafted, signed or traded for more than half of them – seven in all.

It’s a little early to mention Bell alongside those other guys, but it didn’t take him long to establish himself as Johnson’s top backup. He’s been running with the 2’s since training camp began, and that means he’s been ahead of 8th-year pro Fred Johnson, who started eight games last year when Johnson was out with a foot injury.

“Early on in camp, Fred and Markel did a nice job, and I think that coach (Chris) Kuper’s doing a nice job of bringing these guys along. 

“What you see with Markel is just his length and how big he is and how hard he is to get around in the pass rush. Just working on getting on the same page with the combination blocks. There are so many things that go on there with the offensive line of having to work in tandem. … I’ve seen progression there and that’s what you want with all your players.”

The Eagles list Bell at 6-foot-9, 346 pounds, and as soon as he plays his first NFL snap he’ll become the tallest player in Eagles history, a distinction currently shared by eight players, including Hall of Fame receiver Harold Carmichael and offensive tackles Jordan Mailata, Bernard Williams and King Dunlap.

There have been only two taller players in NFL history – 7-0 defensive tackle Richard Sligh, who played eight games with the Raiders in 1967, and tight end Morris Stroud, who spent 1969 through 1974 with the Chiefs.

So Bell will tie the tallest offensive tackle in NFL history whenever he does get on the field.

Even though Johnson plans to retire, Bell will get a full season with him, and that’s invaluable experience for a young kid to learn from a five-time all-pro.

“One thing about Markel is that he’s just a really good person, first of all. He’s a really good teammate. Everybody loved him in Miami. He works hard, he doesn’t complain, which is a big deal. A lot of complaining sometimes, but he’s just, he’s a really mature rookie. 

“And so I’ve seen a lot of them and his size and his ability and his play strength is just going to continue to develop. We’ll be in good hands, man. I’m not worried.”