When evaluating an offensive linemen in the NFL, you look at his pass-blocking abilities, his run-blocking abilities, his leadership skills, his determination and a few other aspects of his game to get the full picture.
Lane Johnson is a top-ten tackle in the league, according to his overall grade on Pro Football Focus (83.1). He ranks within the top-25 at the position in both pas blocking (76.6) and run blocking (79.8), making him as complete a tackle as any. He's an important cog in an offensive line that ranks at No. 3 in pass protection and No. 5 in run blocking on PFF. According to the metrics over at Football Outsiders. the Eagles' o-line is even better in the ground game, coming in as the No. 2 unit in the NFL. He's been a determined leader and core part of this Eagles franchise for years, defending Nick Sirianni earlier in the season and putting his own mental health first in a courageous decision to take some time away from the field. Heck, the big man even catches a touchdown pass every once in a while.
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So that brings us to the question of the hour: what else does an offensive lineman have to do in order to earn a Pro Bowl nod? Apparently, whatever Johnson has done just hasn't been enough, and the same goes for fellow o-line star Jordan Mailata. Both were snubbed from the 2022 roster — though, thankfully, center Jason Kelce will represent the team for the fifth season of his career — and Johnson didn't hold back when discussing his feelings.
"I was pissed. I'll leave it at that," Johnson said on Wednesday (via NBC Sports). "I was really pissed. As far as that, it just motivates me (for) whatever's left of the season.
"I think I'm the best version of myself now."
If motivation is what comes out of this, perhaps Eagles fans shouldn't be all that mad. After all, if the line plays any better than it has been in recent weeks, it seems like the ground game would be practically impossible to stop... if it's not already.
Kelce and Darius Slay were the two Eagles named to the NFC roster, while Jalen Hurts, Javon Hargrave, Dallas Goedert, Jake Elliott, Shaun Bradley and Josh Sweat were named as alternates.
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