Lane Johnson was “pissed” about getting snubbed by Pro Bowl voters earlier this year.
Maybe this will soften that blow.
Because on Friday afternoon, Johnson was named to the second team on the Associated Press All-Pro team. No, it’s not the first team — and those are the guys we call All-Pros — but it’s some much deserved recognition for Johnson’s tremendous season and it’s long overdue.
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Johnson landed on the second team behind, Tampa Bay’s Tristan Wirfs, who was the right tackle on the first team. Wirfs got 37 votes; Johnson was next with 10.
The only Eagles player to make the All-Pro first team was Jason Kelce. It’s the fourth-such honor of his career.
Johnson, 31, played in just 13 games this season, missing a three-game stretch in the middle of the year as he dealt with mental health issues and the meaningless regular season finale. But when Johnson has been on the field, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better right tackle.
After getting snubbed by Pro Bowl voters last month, Johnson was understandably upset. He wasn’t even named as an alternate.
NFL
“I was pissed. I’ll leave it at that,” Johnson said. “I was really pissed. As far as that, it just motivates me (for) whatever’s left of the season.”
According to ProFootballFocus, Johnson gave up just 11 pressures all season and had the third-best pressure rate of any tackle in the NFL. They also named him a second-team all-pro.
After dealing with a lingering ankle injury for much of the last three seasons, Johnson has been much healthier in 2021 and it has made a big difference.
“I think I’m the best version of myself,” Johnson said back in December.
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Johnson has been dominant this season and it’s probably not a coincidence that the Eagles began to lean on their running attack heavily once Johnson returned to the lineup in Week 7 against the Raiders.
With Johnson, Jason Kelce and the rest of the Eagles’ offensive line leading the way, the Eagles had 130+ rushing yards in nine straight games, the longest such streak in the NFL since the legendary 1985 Bears. That doesn’t happen without Johnson.
While he’ll leave this season without the distinction of being a Pro Bowler or an All-Pro — Johnson has previously made three Pro Bowls and one All-Pro — there’s no denying the type of season he has had.
Now that he’s over 30, it would be reasonable to expect some drop-off in level of play from Johnson, he’s healthy and actually got better in 2021. He has four seasons left on his contract and even at 31 continues to be a foundational player for the Eagles.