Eagles Stay or Go 2026: Offensive tackle originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia
Reuben Frank and Dave Zangaro bring back Stay or Go in 2026, trying to figure out the futures of every Eagles player on the roster.
We already took a look, at quarterback, running back, receiver, tight end and interior offensive line.
Up today: Offensive tackle.
Myles Hinton
Roob: Hinton is exactly the type of guy that flourishes under Jeff Stoutland. A late-round pick with great size and potential who just needs to master the NFL game. How will that look without Stout? We’ll see. But I think there’s enough to like about Hinton that he’ll be here with or without Stout. The 6-foot-6, 325-pound tackle from Michigan spent his entire rookie season on Injured Reserve with a back injury, but with his size and pedigree – his dad was a seven-time Pro Bowl tackle – he remains an intriguing prospect. And with questions about whether Lane Johnson will be back and if so for how long, any promising OT prospect is worth keeping around.
Verdict: Stays
Dave: The Eagles used one of their sixth-round picks on Myles Hinton out of Michigan and he seemed to have some really strong moments in training camp. The Eagles stashed him on IR for his entire rookie season but he did get a chance to practice for three weeks late in the season. It’s unclear what the ceiling is for a guy like Hinton (6-6, 323), but he definitely has potential. And that’s worth keeping around.
Verdict: Stays
Lane Johnson
Roob: I don’t know how Lane is leaning when it comes to his future. He’ll be 36 in May, he’s got 13 years in the books and he missed the last eight games of 2025 with that foot injury. I do know that nobody wants their career to end on the shelf with an injury, and Johnson was playing as well as ever before he got hurt. Just being around Johnson for the last decade-plus I know he’s a very proud guy who believes he’s the best OT in the league, and my best guess is that he wants another opportunity to show he’s still an all-pro talent. His legacy is very important to him and the chance to add another Pro Bowl or all-pro honor and perhaps a third Super Bowl to his resume is huge. Nothing he does would surprise me. The dude has played over 11,000 snaps and he may just decide it’s time. But I’m guessing he’s back for 2026. Which would be incredible news for the Eagles. Because he’s still a stud.
Verdict: Stays
Dave: I just can’t imagine Lane Johnson going out like this. The future Hall of Famer suffered a Lisfranc sprain in November and there was real hope that he’d return for the playoff game before that foot started to swell. That had to be deflating for Johnson and the entire offense because they prepared as if he was going to start. And before the injury, Johnson played 10 games and was his usual dominant self. He gave up just 7 pressures and 0 sacks, according to PFF. This one is really up to the player. If Johnson wants to play a 14th season, the Eagles will welcome him back with open arms. I suspect he will.
Verdict: Stays
Fred Johnson
Roob: Big Fred was up and down in his eight starts at right tackle in place of Lane Johnson, and he certainly made the move to bring him back after he spent the summer with the Jaguars look like a smart one. I think he’s the kind of guy who has a point of diminishing returns, and he hit that last year. Half a season is too much for most backups, and at a certain point they begin to regress, and we saw that with Johnson. I still think he’s a solid backup if you need him to get you through a game or a few games. Last year was probably too much. The Eagles have some promising young offensive tackles who have a chance to supplant Big Fred next year and I wouldn’t be surprised if the Eagles draft a tackle or guard-tackle pretty early in April, all of which could render Johnson expendable.
Verdict: Goes
Dave: This is a tricky one. Fred Johnson left in free agency last offseason and went to Jacksonville, where he hoped to earn a starting gig. It didn’t work out and then Howie Roseman traded to bring him back to Philly. Johnson ended up being a valuable backup tackle again in 2025. Obviously, Johnson wants to be a starter. And if that opportunity arises elsewhere, he will probably take it, even if it’s just a chance to compete for a starting job. There’s a roadblock here in Philly with Jordan Mailata and Lane Johnson ahead of him. Fred Johnson is 28 now and played well enough again this season to get a chance to at least compete somewhere else.
Verdict: Goes
Jordan Mailata
Roob: Mailata will be back for his ninth season but it will be his first year of football without Stoutland as his coach, so it will be interesting to see how that goes. Mailata is Stout’s greatest triumph, and he’ll definitely miss him as much as anybody. But Mailata is a pro and I think he’ll be fine in this post-Stout era. Mailata didn’t play quite up to his all-pro level of 2024, but he’s still one of the best LTs in the league and it’s crazy to me that after six years as a starter he still hasn’t made a Pro Bowl. Because he’s a Pro Bowl talent. In an offseason of change, it’s nice to know Mailata will be back.
Verdict: Stays
Dave: Jordan Mailata has a few years left on his current contract and will enter his sixth season as the Eagles’ full-time starting left tackle. It’s hard to believe his career is moving along this quickly. Mailata probably didn’t play at a Pro Bowl or All-Pro level in 2025 — there was no talk of him being snubbed — but he was solid. ProFootballFocus ranked him as the No. 6 offensive tackle in the NFL last season. As a whole, the Eagles’ offensive line wasn’t nearly as good in 2025 as it was in the Super Bowl season and everyone played a part in that. But Mailata is still just 28 probably hasn’t yet reached his ceiling. I’m a bit fascinated to see how the change at OL coach affects him.
Verdict: Stays
John Ojukwu
Roob: OK, full disclosure. When I sat down to write about these offensive linemen and saw the name of John Ojukwu I thought it was a mistake. I’ve never heard of the guy. Turns out he spent the last three years with the Titans, finishing last year on the practice squad, which made him eligible for the Eagles to sign him to a futures contract. So he’s only been here since Jan. 13. He’s a 6-5, 310-pounder who went undrafted out of Boise State in 2023. Ojukwu played mainly right tackle for Tennessee when he did play, so can’t hurt to take a long look at him in camp. Could be in the mix as a backup swing tackle if Big Fred isn’t here.
Verdict: Goes
Dave: The Eagles just signed John Ojukwu to a futures deal. The former UDFA from Boise State actually has some playing experience over three years with the Titans but it’s not easy to find a roster spot.
Verdict: Goes
Hollin Pierce
Roob: Another big massive young offensive line project. Pierce, undrafted from Trenton and Rutgers, stands 6-foot-8, 340 pounds and spent his rookie year on the practice squad. This is the kind of guy Stout specializes in – young, raw prospects. And it’s great that Pierce had one year with Stout. I think the Eagles do like Pierce, and while he could land a spot on the 53 I feel like another year of seasoning and learning on the practice squad is most likely.
Verdict: Goes
Dave: Hollin Pierce (6-8, 341) is a massive offensive lineman the Eagles signed after he went undrafted out of Rutgers last spring. While Pierce is obviously tackle-sized, the Eagles were cross-training him at guard last training camp. Pierce was on the practice squad all season and there’s a chance he could be there again as the Eagles keep developing him.
Verdict: Goes
Cameron Williams
Roob: Another enormous young offensive line prospect, the 6-foot-5, 320-pounder was the third of the Eagles’ three 6th-round picks last year. He spent most of his rookie year on IR with a shoulder injury, coming off in time to play most of the meaningless year-ender vs. the Commanders, and I thought he held his own with his 51 snaps, the first playing time of his career. The Eagles have some promising young offensive tackle talent and I expect Williams to be in the mix for a roster spot next summer.
Verdict: Stays
Dave: Cameron Williams (6-5, 317) was the Eagles’ second of two Day 3 offensive tackles drafted in the 2025 draft. Williams spent most of the season on IR after making the initial roster but was activated in time to play in the Week 18 regular season finale against the Commanders. It’s very possible that he will be competing with fellow sixth-round pick Myles Hinton for a roster spot. I’m giving the slight edge to Hinton, who I thought had a better rookie training camp. But this could be something to watch this summer.
Verdict: Goes