Stephen A. Smith Backtracks After Attacking Lane Johnson's Week 5 Mental Health Retirement
Updated
Updated · Yahoo Sports · Oct 7
Stephen A. Smith Backtracks After Attacking Lane Johnson's Week 5 Mental Health Retirement
2 articles · Updated · Yahoo Sports · Oct 7
Summary
Wednesday on "First Take," Stephen A. Smith criticized Lane Johnson for retiring four games into the 2026 season and cited the Eagles tackle's mental health explanation.
Kimberley A. Martin challenged that line of attack on air, prompting Smith to say he would "never make light of mental health issues" while shifting his argument to Johnson's value on Philadelphia's offensive line.
Tuesday's retirement removed a six-time Pro Bowler from a 2-2 Eagles team just before its Oct. 11 London game against Jacksonville, leaving Philadelphia to rework protection for quarterback Jalen Hurts.
Johnson, a 2013 first-round pick, had been a cornerstone of two Super Bowl-winning teams, making both the timing of his exit and the reaction to his stated reason especially consequential.