Big Loss

Of the rather robust list of Eagles pending free agents, Fred Johnson was likely a name that most outsiders hastily scanned over when assessing priority.

But similar to other key free-agent losses, such as cornerback Isaiah Rodgers and linebacker Oren Burks, Johnson leaves a major void.

The 6-foot-7, 326-pound veteran, who last week signed a one-year deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars, occupied a critical game day role for the Eagles, serving as the all-important swing reserve tackle.

GETTY IMAGES: The departure of backup swing OT Fred Johnson in free agency leaves a major hole to fill.

The 27-year-old logged 481 snaps last season for the Eagles, appearing in all 17 games while starting six. The Florida product started the Week 4 matchup against the Bucs at right tackle in place of an injured Lane Johnson while also starting at left tackle over a four-week period, when Jordan Mailata was shelved with a hamstring injury.

And with the Eagles positioned to rest starters late in the year, Johnson started at left tackle for the season finale against the Giants.

Jacksonville marks the latest stop, and fifth team, in Johnson’s football career, but the charismatic, jovial offensive lineman has never shied from lauding the coaching of Eagles offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland, who played a considerable role in developing Johnson and reviving his career.

Johnson leaves Philadelphia a better player than when he arrived, positioned to compete for a starting role with the Jaguars.

From an Eagles perspective, how they go about adequately fulfilling Johnson’s role isn’t yet clear.

The team likes fourth-year pro Darian Kinnard, a right tackle by trade who briefly moonlighted at right guard during training camp.

Kinnard, who also logged some reps earlier in his Kentucky career at left tackle, provides athleticism, power, versatility and nastiness. He’s light on experience, appearing in only three career games, but Kinnard will be a name to file away.

It’s also worth noting that Kinnard was active for only three games last season (in one of the games he dressed but didn’t play), an indicator that the team liked what it had and wanted to see his development through under Stoutland for a moment such as this.

Third-year pro Tyler Steen, a collegiate tackle, has exclusively played guard since joining the pro ranks. And as the current frontrunner to start at right guard, his role appears to be already accounted, with trade acquisition and intriguing reclamation project Kenyon Green also in the mix.

Another course of action could be to find a worthy replacement in the draft, as the Eagles have already indicated interest in a handful of offensive tackle prospects in the upcoming NFL Draft.

The logic here would be identifying a potential successor in the long-term for 34-year-old Lane Johnson, who is still playing at an All-Pro level and now signed through 2027. This potential successor would also be a young, moldable swing tackle to develop in the short-term.

So maybe the loss of Johnson didn’t initially register, but it shouldn’t be viewed as insignificant.

For a team like the Eagles, who typically win outside the margins, moves like this are rarely overlooked.

– Andrew DiCecco (@AndrewDiCecco) is a Staff Reporter/Content Producer for InsideTheBirds.com.