Amid the dynamic world of the NFL, where every inch of the gridiron can turn the tide of a season, Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni finds himself in a unique position. Under his guidance, the Eagles boast one of the most formidable offensive lines in the league, a fact underlined by the achievements of their star tackles, Jordan Mailata and Lane Johnson.
The Eagles' Dominant Duo
Nick Sirianni hasn't been shy about expressing his admiration for his offensive line, particularly when it comes to Lane Johnson and Jordan Mailata. As key anchors on the Eagles' offensive front, both have been nothing short of spectacular. Sirianni has praised Johnson, calling him "the best tackle in the world," a sentiment that isn’t mere hyperbole. On the field, Johnson commands the league’s best pressure rate allowed per dropback at an impressive 1.7%. At 34 years of age, he continues to perform at an elite level, testament to his unfaltering consistency and experience.
On the opposite side of the line stands Jordan Mailata, a compelling figure with his own set of accolades. Pro Football Focus, the standard bearer for performance metrics, grades Mailata as the highest-graded tackle in the NFL, holding an impressive score of 94.9. His prowess is further highlighted by his ranking in run and pass blocking, where he leads with scores of 94.2 and 91.5, respectively.
An Unlikely Journey
The journey of Jordan Mailata to this point has been nothing short of remarkable. Originally hailing from a background of rugby in Australia, his transition to American football has been meteoric. Lane Johnson articulated the amazement surrounding Mailata's rise, stating, "From coming from where he was, not playing any football to the best left tackle in football I think. I don't think anybody can run block the way he can." The sheer athleticism and adaptability required to make such a transition is rare and speaks volumes of Mailata's dedication and talent.
Reflecting on Mailata's athletic prowess, Johnson further elaborates: "Usually you have guys 370, 365, they can't move. He can do it all." Such mobility and strength at Mailata's size are a rarity, allowing him to become a crucial component of the Eagles’ offensive strategy. At 27, Mailata’s ceiling appears boundless, and his contributions this season — allowing just one sack and eight pressures over 260 pass-blocking snaps with a pressure rate per dropback of 3.1% — underscore his impact. These statistics place him tenth among all NFL offensive tackles in pressure rate per dropback.
The Excellence of the Eagles
The combination of Mailata and Johnson is a luxury that only one other NFL team, the Denver Broncos, can boast — having both tackles ranked among the elite. This duo has propelled the Eagles' offensive line into discussions as the top unit in the league, with their combined efforts enabling the team to maintain consistent offensive production.
Sirianni's belief in this group is unyielding. Speaking about Mailata’s impact on their ground game and protection schemes, Sirianni notes, "He's playing really good football. Yeah, he is powerful in the run game." The synergy between play calling and execution is evident, setting a solid foundation for the Eagles’ success.
With Lane Johnson adding candidly, "He's on his way and he knows it. We've all known it. We've seen him progress over the years. But yeah, he's, he's premier, he's elite," the sentiment is clear. This level of mutual respect and acknowledgment only further solidifies their standing as exemplary figures on the Eagles roster.
Yet, as the season progresses, both tackles must maintain this high level of performance to secure their goals. When asked about what might stand in Mailata’s way, Johnson quipped, “Hamstring or a f---ing gun,” a humorous yet telling nod to the resilience and focus required to thrive at the top echelons of professional football.
For Nick Sirianni and the Eagles, the path forward may be fraught with challenges, but with the stellar play of Lane Johnson and Jordan Mailata, they're poised to tackle whatever comes their way successfully. As both tackles continue to assert their dominance, the Eagles’ hopes to soar higher remain ever promising.