The Philadelphia Eagles released two players after the 2026 NFL trade deadline: wide receiver Hollywood Brown and veteran offensive tackle Fred Johnson. Johnson had been with the team since 2023, according to NFL Network reporter Ian Rapoport.
After his release, Johnson addressed his departure on Instagram. “Thank ya Philly! 1Love 💚 #BeatThaOddz,” he wrote alongside a photo taken after the Eagles’ Super Bowl victory two years earlier.
## Fred Johnson’s NFL Career
The 29-year-old offensive lineman played college football at Florida before joining the Pittsburgh Steelers as an undrafted free agent in 2019. After a brief stint in Pittsburgh, he played for the Cincinnati Bengals through 2022.
During the 2022 season, Johnson joined the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Eagles added him after Tampa Bay waived him, and he remained in Philadelphia for two years.
In 2025, Johnson signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars after winning a Super Bowl with the Eagles. He was then traded back to Philadelphia ahead of the season. In March, the Eagles extended him a one-year offer, bringing him back for another season.
The Eagles are committed to developing Markel Bell, though the reason for Johnson’s release has not been made clear. It may have been a mutual decision.
