Most legends of the game aren't exactly thrilled to be playing at a high level and still have to mentor an individual who would eventually take their place.
Brett Favre was never really thrilled to work with Aaron Rodgers early in his career. Jerry Rice was always difficult to deal with when the San Francisco 49ers looked to find his replacement.
Even Tom Brady had his immediate backup shipped out of town at one point (Jimmy Garoppolo).
That may be the case for most players around the league, but it certainly isn't with the Philadelphia Eagles - especially along the offensive line. Philadelphia has built an offensive line that has been willing to teach newcomers left in right.
Even if those newcomers eventually look to replace some of the aging stars.
Back in the day, it was Jason Peters teaching Lane Johnson. Then it became Jordan Mailata. More recently, All-Pro center Jason Kelce hand-picked his successor in Cam Jurgens.
Now, it appears to be happening to All-Pro right tackle Lane Johnson.
And the former fourth-overall pick is more than happy to oblige.
"Players [in Philadelphia] have always looked out for the best interest of the team and the organization," said Johnson. "And so, yeah, I'd be honored to be a part of that process [of helping find a successor]."
Johnson signed an extension with the Eagles that will keep him in Philly through the 2027 season and when he turns 37. The former Oklahoma product knows his career is coming to an end.
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And is more than willing to help the team find his eventual successor.
"You can see their game develop," Johnson said. "And being able to pass that stuff down the way that it was passed down to me is a cool thing. It's not like that at every place. I think the culture has been this way here for a long time."
Part of having an elite culture is knowing when to look for eventual replacements for some of the team's stars. The Eagles are the best at that because they understand the reality of keeping their stars happy, but still keeping them away that nothing lasts forever.
