Lane Johnson sets expectations for Jalen Hurts and Eagles heading into 2024 NFL season
The Philadelphia Eagles started off the 2023 NFL season on a high note, going on a 10-1 run. But the NFC giants lost a step and went 1-6 in the last seven games, eventually losing in the NFC Wild Card round to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Veteran offensive tackle Lane Johnson knows the team has to be better.
On Tuesday, Johnson was a guest on The Rich Eisen Show. When asked about the shocking downfall last year, the Eagles OT said that the team never got the bad stuff corrected. But Johnson is optimistic and excited about the team's outlook under new offensive coordinator Kellen Moore, heading into 2024:
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"Players play. Coaches coach. And as bad as stuff was, we never got it corrected. We did a lot of work this offseason. We have new office coordinator in Kellen Moore excited about that... Really like what he's done in the past... We're ready to get this bad taste out of our mouth and get on the right track," Johnson said.
He was also asked how Hurts has shown up in the offseason after a disastrous end to the 2023 season. The Eagles OT heaped praise on the QB's leadership qualities:
"He's really done a good job of bonding with his teammates. I felt like the connection has definitely grown... [He's] just become a more vocal leader... Him reaching out to guys and creating these bonds and offseason, [he] really has gone out of his way to connect with his teammates," Johnson added.
The conversation surrounding Jalen Hurts' talents came into question after the Eagles' offense struggled massively during the final seven-game stretch, including blowout losses to the Dallas Cowboys, San Francisco 49ers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the playoffs. During this time, Hurts threw for 1,411 yards, six touchdowns and five interceptions.
Johnson added that every season is a year to prove in Philadelphia and show faith in Jalen Hurts.
Lane Johnson can't believe Eagles landed Saquon Barkley
One of the power moves of this 2024 NFL offseason was former New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley signing with the divisional rivals Philadelphia Eagles in free agency.
The move surprised many in the NFL world and Lane Johnson was one of them. Speaking on the same show, Johnson said he felt he was in an "alternate reality" seeing Barkley in an Eagles jersey:
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"I never thought he'd be on our team. I'm surprised that he is... But yeah, early impressions are 'good God, he has some big legs!' I bet he can squat a lot. Bet he can run fast... He's proven everybody right. A guy that can do it all the running back," Johnson said.
Saquon Barkley was a vital part of the Giants offense. Since getting drafted in 2018, the two-time Pro Bowler has rushed for 5,211 yards, with three 1,000+ yard seasons and 35 touchdowns.
Barkley's addition to the Eagles is a massive upgrade from DeAndre Swift and provides more balance with his versatile playmaking.