After Reacquiring Fred Johnson From Jaguars, Eagles Continue To Shake Up Roster

Eagles' Fred Johnson (Image: Eagles)

The Philadelphia Eagles continue to stay busy on the trading market.

Offensive lineman Fred Johnson is coming back to the Eagles in a trade with the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Jaguars received a 2026 seventh-round pick in exchange for Johnson. Known for his versatility and depth in the offensive line, the Eagles decided to bring Johnson back rather than continue with the team’s options in the training camp.

Johnson’s main role in previous seasons was as the swing tackle alongside veterans Lane Johnson and Jordan Mailata. Originally an undrafted rookie in 2019, Johnson built his experience with the Cincinnati Bengals for the 2019-21 seasons and with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for part of the 2022 season.

During the remainder of the 2022 season, Johnson signed with the Eagles’ practice squad and earned himself a two-year contract at the start of the 2023 season. Over the past two years with the Eagles, Johnson played all 39 regular-season and playoff games with six starts.

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Shortly after, the Eagles also agreed to trade Darian Kinnard to the Green Bay Packers for a 2027 sixth-round pick to make room for Johnson. Kinnard was a 2022 fifth-round pick by the Kansas City Chiefs, appearing in one game that season.

He spent the 2023 season with the Chiefs’ practice squad and signed a contract with the Eagles for the 2024 season. Kinnard played in two games, starting as right tackle in the regular-season finale against the New York Giants.

The Eagles also acquired backup quarterback Sam Howell from the Minnesota Vikings, making three major trades in one day. Bringing Johnson back and trading Kinnard are only the latest moves from general manager Howie Roseman as he continues to experiment with the Eagles’ roster.