Last season, the Philadelphia Eagles, led by Lane Johnson, started strong with a 10-1 record but faltered, losing five of their last six regular-season games. They ended with a heavy loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the NFC wild-card round, 32-9.
Head coach Nick Sirianni and quarterback Jalen Hurts faced much of the blame for the team’s collapse, but according to Johnson, Hurts is unfazed by the criticism. On the podcast “All Facts No Brakes,” Johnson praised Hurts’ mentality.
“I think Jalen handles the outside drama very maturely. He speaks up when needed and has a tight bond with his teammates,” Johnson told host Keyshawn Johnson. “His work ethic and preparation speak volumes. In our building, actions matter more than words, and Jalen gets that.”
Johnson added that Hurts is eager for the new season and has made efforts to connect more with his teammates, calling it perhaps the best offseason Hurts has had since joining the Eagles.
Despite being a Pro Bowler for the past two seasons and averaging 716.3 rushing yards and 12.7 touchdowns over the last three, Hurts struggled in 2023 compared to 2022. He threw nine more interceptions (15 in 2023 vs. six in 2022), and his passer rating dropped from 101.5 to 89.1.
The Eagles’ offense, which ranked third in total yards and points per game in 2022, fell to eighth in yards and seventh in points in 2023. The retirement of six-time All-Pro center Jason Kelce after the 2023 season also means a new center for the first time since 2011, which Johnson described as “weird.”
With the disappointing end to 2023, Sirianni’s coaching staff saw changes, including new offensive and defensive coordinators. The Eagles hired Kellen Moore, former offensive coordinator for the Dallas Cowboys and Los Angeles Chargers, for the offensive role. Johnson is impressed with Moore.
“Kellen brings a dynamic offense,” Johnson said. “His teams have scored a lot over the years. He knows when to speed up the game, use the quick game, and run the ball effectively. He understands the game well.”
The Eagles also added running back Saquon Barkley to Moore’s offense, signing him to a three-year, $37.8 million contract. Under Moore, the Cowboys’ offense led the NFL in total yards twice and points once. Although the Chargers had a down year in 2023 under Moore, Johnson is optimistic.
Lane Johnson, a two-time All-Pro and five-time Pro Bowler, has spent his entire NFL career with the Eagles.