Ex-Eagles Super Bowl Lineman Just Signed A $1.3M Deal But Walked Away To Return To Philadelphia — ‘This Is Where I Belong’

Philadelphia, PA – August 24, 2025

The Eagles didn’t just make a roster move on Sunday night — they welcomed back family. In a deal that sent a 2026 seventh-round pick to Jacksonville, Philadelphia re-acquired offensive tackle Fred Johnson, a Super Bowl champion who once helped anchor the line during the Eagles’ championship run.

What makes the move even more striking is the context. Just five months ago, Johnson signed a one-year, $1.3 million contract with the Jaguars, aiming for a fresh start. But when the call from Philadelphia came, it wasn’t about money or opportunity elsewhere — it was about coming home.

“Philly gave me my shot, gave me my purpose. I left, I battled, but deep down this is always where I belonged. I want to give everything back to this city, to this team, because the Eagles are my home.”

Johnson, 28, had already spent two seasons in Philadelphia, starting six games in 2024 and appearing in all 17 in 2023 as the primary backup to Lane Johnson and Jordan Mailata. He also suited up for all four playoff games during the Eagles’ Super Bowl run, proving his toughness and value when it mattered most.

Now, after a short detour in Jacksonville, Johnson returns to the midnight green — with Philadelphia inheriting his affordable $1.3 million deal. For the Eagles, it’s a low-cost, high-value reunion. For Johnson, it’s something far more personal.

Undrafted in 2019, Johnson fought for a place in the league with stops in Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, and Tampa Bay before Philadelphia embraced him. It was in Philly that he solidified his role, fought in the trenches, and lifted the Lombardi Trophy. That bond never faded, even after he briefly wore another jersey.

On the same day, the Eagles traded OL Darian Kinnard to Green Bay for a 2027 sixth-rounder, while also finalizing the deal for QB Sam Howell. But the Fred Johnson trade stands out — not for the numbers on a contract, but for the heart behind it.

Because in Philadelphia, it’s not just about signing players. It’s about bringing back people who understand what it means to wear midnight green — people like Fred Johnson, who never stopped calling the Eagles his family.