Nov 14, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles offensive tackle Lane Johnson (65) against the Washington Commanders at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images Eric Hartline
It's hard for offensive linemen to get the spotlight. Their job, albeit extremely difficult, isn't sexy. Blocking might seem like a rudimentary practice, but it's not. It's importance shouldn't be understated, but often gets overlooked, with skill-position players usually taking all the spotlight.
But when you're as good as Lane Johnson, it's hard not to notice.
That's exemplified by his latest accomplishment: joining the "99 Club" for Madden 26. Johnson joins teammate Saquon Barkley as one of seven members for the upcoming game, which will be released on Aug. 14, with Barkley as the cover star:
Iced out for 9️⃣9️⃣@EAMaddenNFL | #FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/xWkD4O3gD2
Lamar Jackson, Josh Allen, Justin Jefferson, Ja'Marr Chase and Myles Garrett complete the list of players to earn the top rating.
Reading those names, it's clear Johnson is a sort of outlier. He's the only offensive lineman, and by far the oldest at 35, with Garrett (29) as the next closest.
That's not to say Johnson doesn't deserve the rating, because he absolutely does as one of the most dominant players in the league. Johnson's dominance just looks a little different than someone like Chase, who can turn a five-yard slant into an 80-yard touchdown in an instant, or Jackson, whose jaw-dropping jukes are plastered all over social media.
Johnson's work is a little bit more quiet. Highlights of his blocks don't garner millions of clicks. People don't argue on a daily basis about his standing among offensive linemen in the league. The occasional conversation does pop up, but it pales in comparison to the back-and-forth generated by quarterback and wide receiver rankings.
What Johnson does do is shut down elite edge rushers around the NFL with ease. He's earned First Team All-Pro twice (2017 and 2022), and made the Second-Team All-Pro three times (2021, 2023, 2024). According to Johnson, he still thinks he's getting better, even at the ripe old age of 35.
The "99 Club" hasn't been a commonality for Eagles players over the years. Johnson is just the fourth-ever Eagle to have the rating. Before Johnson and Barkley, David Akers was the last player to be 99-rated in Madden 06, while Brian Dawkins did the same in Madden 04.
Offensive linemen usually don't join the "99 Club". Trent Williams (Madden 23, 25), Walter Jones (Madden 07) and Jonathan Ogden (Madden 99, 02, 05, 06) are the only offensive linemen to ever be rated 99. Johnson is now a part of that group.
When Barkley was announced as the cover star in June, the Eagles released a video of him receiving a chain with the number 99 on it. During the video, the running back said Johnson should be next.
Barkley got his wish, and he was the one to inform Johnson what he accomplished. The Eagles released another video, which showed Barkley handing Johnson a box with the chain in it:
Lane Johnson is OFFICIALLY in the 99 Club‼️@EAMaddenNFL | #FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/TVzLikvWnL
Initially, Johnson thought it was a watch. Instead, it might be something even better.
