The Philadelphia Eagles raised eyebrows Sunday when they released their list of inactives for the London game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, and Lane Johnson's name was nowhere to be found. The retired All-Pro tackle, who stunned the football world with his sudden retirement, remains on the 53-man roster for salary cap purposes. But his absence from the inactive list created a brief illusion that he might actually suit up at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
That, of course, was never happening. The team quickly clarified that Johnson would not be available, and the league office was informed accordingly. Still, the omission is a sign of the awkward roster mechanics that will linger for months — possibly years.
Why the Eagles Are Keeping Johnson on the Roster
According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, Philadelphia plans to carry Johnson on the 53-man roster until at least June 2 for cap reasons. Doing so allows the team to avoid a salary cap acceleration hit until 2028 while they pay out the remainder of his $1.3 million base salary. It also leaves the door open — however unlikely — for a return if Johnson ever changes his mind.
Johnson already received a $21.7 million option bonus before the season, and the expectation is that he will pay back several million dollars. The exact figure is still being negotiated. Until that's resolved and the calendar flips to June, Johnson's name will keep popping up in roster paperwork, even though he's done playing.
A Distraction That Won't Go Away
This is the first of what could be many confusing Sundays. Every week, the Eagles must submit an active/inactive list, and Johnson's unique status means he won't appear on either. Fans and media will have to get used to seeing his name missing — or risk another false alarm.
The situation has already generated plenty of chatter, including Stephen A. Smith's apology after he mocked Johnson's retirement. It's a reminder that even in retirement, Johnson remains a headline magnet.
Meanwhile, the Eagles are dealing with other roster moves. They recently cut Andy Dalton ahead of the Jaguars game, and there are whispers that the team could be entering full rebuild mode. Johnson's cap hold is a small but significant piece of that puzzle.
For now, the Eagles will continue to navigate the strange limbo of having a retired player on their roster. It's a procedural quirk that won't affect the product on the field, but it will keep Johnson's name in the news — whether he likes it or not.
