PHILADELPHIA — Lane Johnson announced to the world that 2026 is “probably” the final season of his storied career, and one of his closest confidants announced to the world a long-held belief within the locker room and team facility for the past decade.

“Best tackle in the NFL,” Dom DiSandro, security chief and senior adviser to the general manager, uttered while Johnson walked by, and that view is part of why Saturday was so significant and the next six months so meaningful.

The unscheduled announcement came after Johnson was excused for six days for a personal reason. It mattered that it came at all. He could have played out this season with the question lingering, as they did last year. The franchise knows how to throw a spring retirement ceremony; they’ve done it for franchise icons such as Jason Kelce (who watched from the back as Johnson spoke Saturday), Brandon Graham and Fletcher Cox.

By declaring his plans on a sweltering August Saturday morning, however, Johnson allowed for the type of farewell tour he deserves.

“I think just being honest and transparent about it allows me to be at ease, so to speak, and tell you where my head’s at, what I’m looking forward to and what I’m trying to soak in as this year winds down,” Johnson said. “It’s refreshing. It’s honest — I’ve had these conversations with my teammates, with Dom, with these guys. It’s where I’m at at this point in my career.”

One can also respect the clarity required to reach this decision. Johnson, 36, adores playing offensive tackle, and he does it as well as anyone in the world. That can be an intoxicating life to live and sometimes an impossible life to leave. But he’s also a father to children on the other side of the country and a son to parents combating illness and old age. He’s vulnerable to the same complexities as the person drafting him or coaching him or writing about him or watching him: when to say when and realize that the happiness pendulum sometimes needs a push in the other direction.

“Family life is merging, and it feels like, ‘Are you running to something, or are you running away from something?’” Johnson said. “Being a father is really special to me. I had a really good time in the offseason. Parents work; it’s what they do. But putting stuff into perspective, collectively with my family, it’s looking (like it will be my last year).”

One reality Johnson realized in making this decision? “It’s hard to get time back,” he admitted.

Perhaps it was fitting that the announcement came on Hall of Fame weekend. That’s where Johnson’s career could finish. Every year up until this point has seemed to be a race to be recognized as one of the game’s elite.

Johnson switched positions in college, from a juco quarterback to a tight end to a defensive end and eventually an offensive tackle. He was a late bloomer who required a strong Senior Bowl in 2013 to solidify himself as a first-round pick and a record-setting combine to ascend on draft charts.

“I’m going to rip this f—ing combine to such a level that these motherf—ers have never seen anything like it,” Johnson told his agent on the eve of his workout. “And when it’s all said and done, I’m gonna go top five.”

Even when he went No. 4 to the Eagles, he was the third offensive tackle drafted. Jeff Stoutland, the only offensive line coach in Johnson’s NFL career before this season, told the draft room in 2013 that Johnson “is going to be so much better than the other two tackles” in two to three years, per owner Jeffrey Lurie’s retelling of the story.

He was a Day 1 starter for the Eagles, although two suspensions for performance-enhancing drugs early in his career (a four-game suspension in 2014 and a 10-game suspension in 2016) clouded his reputation. Johnson solidified his standing as an elite tackle in 2017 on the way to the Super Bowl, although he remembered opposing defensive linemen calling him “’roid-head” and noted a stigma he needed to fight.

Johnson also fought an antiquated view that right tackles were inferior to left tackles. He had been drafted as the team’s eventual left tackle, but Jason Peters played longer than expected, and Johnson became comfortable on the right side. GM Howie Roseman said in a 2023 interview that Johnson “changed the game” because he altered the perception of a position.

The right side versus the left side was part of why Johnson sometimes felt disrespected. He did not make the initial Pro Bowl roster in December 2018, and he was so angered that he drove to the team facility at 2:30 a.m. after tossing in bed that night, and he slept by his locker. He was a late addition to the game again during the 2019 season, and he was similarly vexed, even if the sleeping arrangements were different.

Johnson was 29 at the time. He thought he was a top-of-the-league player. That was supposed to be the prime of his career, but Johnson’s 30s might have brought better football. Four of his five All-Pro honors have come after his 30th birthday — a fact that wasn’t lost on him when discussing his legacy on Saturday.

“I want to be seen as a guy who continuously got better as he aged, whereas some guys, once they hit (their) 30s, they nosedive,” Johnson said. “Kind of the opposite of me.”

Throughout his Saturday news conference, he continued sprinkling in comments about how he remains a “premier” player, about how he can “surprise” people this year. Johnson was limited to 10 games last season. He did not make the Pro Bowl or either All-Pro team. This summer, he was left off the NFL’s top 100 rankings. He’s one of those who takes perceived slights personally. When he made second-team All-Pro two seasons ago, he taped a sheet of paper on his locker with a side-by-side comparison to the player who made first-team All-Pro — and it does not take a stretch to believe that he’s determined to finish his career validating DiSandro’s claim.

“With rankings, I take offense to some of it,” Johnson said. “I see guys who gave up a lot of quarterback hits last year f—ing in the Pro Bowl, All-Pros. I’ve seen a lot of All-Pros in the past, and usually they have a flawless performance in the pass game (and) in the run game. I don’t know if standards are being lowered or perception or analytics are getting in the way. But there’s also film. Some of these guys, I don’t think it’s all what it’s meant to be. I see a lot of quarterbacks getting hit in the passing game.”

His final season will offer a chance to punctuate his greatness.

As much as Johnson wants to be known for how he plays, it would be a disservice to limit his legacy to the field. Just as his decision to retire after this season was not about performance, the way he’s celebrated this year should not be limited to football. He explained how he wants to be known as a good teammate who would “pick up guys who were not (their) best self mentally.” Johnson’s struggles with mental health are well documented. He missed three games in 2021 after he cycled off his SSRI antidepressant medication, and he acknowledged he battles depression and anxiety. He’s since been a resource to teammates and players elsewhere in the NFL. In 2023, the Eagles nominated him as their Walter Payton Man of the Year candidate.

“There’s no better person deserving of this award. And that’s the truth,” Stoutland said in an interview that season. “From what he’s overcome, and what he does for other people … that he doesn’t want anybody to know. He’s not a hotshot. He doesn’t care about that. He just wants to help people who maybe are in or were in his situation.”

That humanity, even if quiet and understated, should also be part of the six-month celebration ahead. It was why I was curious if Johnson would treat this season differently, knowing the end is coming. He’s long been a locker room favorite. His sense of humor is quickly mentioned by those who know him well. His friendships transcend age and position groups. But being the best tackle in the NFL can be burdensome. Recovering from injuries can lead to a nauseating cycle. Does the final lap change when you see the finish line?

“You don’t get the chance to tell people how much they mean to you. Probably more of that,” Johnson said. “And some reflection. Really showcase my abilities as an older player. I feel like I can surprise some people. … Enjoy the people I’m around and let them know how much they mean to me.”

The farewell tour Johnson earned will allow him to feel it back.

Andoni Iraola’s first game as Liverpool head coach at Anfield ended in a 3-2 loss to French side Monaco.

He selected a strong starting XI and his side raced into a two-goal lead before the half-hour mark, as Alexander Isak opened the scoring before Florian Wirtz tapped in a second.

Monaco halved the deficit just before half-time when Aleksandr Golovin converted a penalty which he won after he was fouled by Virgil van Dijk. Mika Biereth equalised 11 minutes after the restart, scoring at the second attempt after being denied by an excellent Giorgi Mamardashvili stop.

The intensity of the game dropped in the second half as both sides made a number of changes but Liverpool’s set-piece problems continued as they conceded a late winner when Paris Brunner headed in a corner after 88 minutes.

Andrew Jones analyses the main talking points.

Are we starting to see the Isak-Wirtz link Liverpool hoped for?

Florian Wirtz scores Liverpool’s second goal against Monaco (Naomi Baker/Getty Images)

If Liverpool can see this version of Isak and Wirtz consistently during the upcoming campaign, there is plenty to be excited about.

Last summer, Liverpool invested more than £225million ($303m) in two players they thought would lead their attack into a new era. For differing reasons, neither had the first season at Anfield that anybody would have hoped.

Under new head coach Iraola, it is so far so good. Their first outing in the opening 45 minutes against Leeds United was a real positive as they contributed to Liverpool’s best half of the tour of the United States, and as a partnership it looked like a connection had already been established as a No 9 and a No 10.

Their performances against Monaco were another positive step forward, and both looked like the players Liverpool thought they were buying last summer. They were sharp and nearly combined in the seventh minute when they traded passes in the Monaco area before Wirtz’s shot was saved by Lukas Hradecky.

They continued to cause their opponents problems throughout the first half, with Wirtz finding plenty of space in between the lines and Isak constantly posing a threat in behind, as well as being involved in build-up play.

Isak gave Liverpool the lead after 16 minutes when he received a pass from Ryan Gravenberch, who had played a neat one-two with Dominik Szoboszlai, and he finished calmly into the bottom left corner from the middle of the area.

Wirtz had already come close to a goal himself, but was rewarded when he scored from close range after a goalmouth scramble on 29 minutes, with Isak picking up the assist.

Their threat continued in the second half, before they were substituted just before the hour mark.

How did Munoz do on his first Anfield appearance?

Liverpool supporters have had to wait for some time to see summer signing Victor Munoz in action, but they got their first glimpse of him against Monaco.

He received a loud reception when he was brought on, alongside a number of other changes, just before the hour mark.

The 23-year-old joined up with the squad at the start of the week after cutting his post-World Cup holiday short, having been part of the Spain squad that won the tournament.

Munoz is a versatile forward and he came on with fellow winger Rio Ngumoha, but it was the former who played on the left wing, while Ngumoha operated from the right.

The second half lacked the intensity of the first 45 minutes, but there were a couple of promising moments from the Spain international, most notably when he used his speed to skip past the full-back before delivering a low cross that was cleared.

On the opposite flank, it was another opportunity for Ngumoha to gain more experience playing on the right. There was a noticeable lift in volume every time he got the ball and he looked more assured in that role than he had when he played there against Wrexham in Liverpool’s second friendly.

The club are still looking to add to their attack before the end of the window, as their pursuit of Paris Saint-Germain’s Bradley Barcola continues, but with an encouraging performance from Gakpo too, Iraola can begin to feel like he has a variety of options at his disposal. Further signings would only strengthen that.

What next for Koumas and Ndukwe?

Andoni Iraola’s first game in charge of Liverpool at Anfield ended in defeat (Darren Staples/AFP via Getty Images)

Iraola selected a strong line-up for his first game at Anfield, but he included two youngsters in his starting XI – Lewis Koumas and Ifeanyi Ndukwe.

Both players made a strong impression during Liverpool’s tour of the United States and they continued that form into the game against Monaco, with both looking right at home.

Koumas started on the right wing, a position Liverpool are still yet to address after the departure of Mohamed Salah, and he took his opportunity as he was constantly involved in Liverpool’s attacking play. It felt like a vote of confidence from Iraola, who had other options he could have selected, like Federico Chiesa or fellow youngster Kieran Morrison.

He provided the deep cross to Cody Gakpo that led to the scramble that resulted in Liverpool’s second goal and the only thing missing from his performance was a goal, although he consistently got into promising scoring positions.

Koumas, who moved up to the No 9 position in the second half, is expected to remain at Liverpool for the next few weeks before a decision is made on his future. There will be plenty of interest in him, and it is also likely to depend on attacking incomings at Anfield.

The only negative so far about centre-back Ndukwe’s pre-season is that work permit issues will prevent him from playing for Liverpool this season. The 18-year-old looks ready for senior football.

Partnering Virgil van Dijk, his size was striking, and he put in another calm, composed display. He embraced the physical challenge posed by Biereth and was front-footed and confident. That was shown in the opening 10 minutes, when he dragged the ball back, turning away from two Monaco players.

Ronald Araujo’s imminent arrival from Barcelona on loan offers a short-term solution for Liverpool’s centre-back issues but Ndukwe, along with Jeremy Jacquet and Giovanni Leoni — who both missed the game due to injury — suggest Liverpool’s long-term health in that position is very strong.

PHILADELPHIA — It was the same as every other Max Scherzer pre-pitch routine. He received the ball back in his glove, flicked it over to his right hand, looked down, brought his glove to his face, swung his arms and then rocked into his delivery. Then he found his latest place in history.

With a sixth-inning strikeout of Kyle Schwarber in the Toronto Blue Jays’ 7-5 extra-innings win over the Philadelphia Phillies on Saturday, Scherzer moved beyond Walter Johnson for the 10th-most strikeouts in MLB history (3,516). He is one of two active players in the top 10, alongside Justin Verlander, and may be the final pitcher to crack the leaderboard.

“There are some really big-time names there,” Scherzer said, “and so to now be a part of that group, it’s special.”

It took Scherzer 6,675 days to go from one strikeout to 3,516. That opening K came April 29, 2008, against Michael Bourn of the Houston Astros, back when they were in the National League. Since then, he’s won three Cy Youngs and two World Series, gone to eight All-Star Games and pitched for seven MLB teams. His plaque in Cooperstown has been secure for some time.

This Toronto tenure for the 19-year veteran is but a small part of his larger career. By ERA, it’s been his least successful. By regular-season wins, it’s tied with his Texas Rangers stint for his fewest with a franchise. After getting his historic strikeout Saturday, Scherzer promptly allowed back-to-back homers and left the game. He’s not an undisputed ace anymore.

Yet there remains that chance for greatness every time Scherzer steps on the mound. The legend still stops by on occasion. Some days it’s outdueling Shohei Ohtani in Game 7 of the World Series, other days it’s screaming his manager off the mound in the American League Championship Series. Sometimes it’s freezing Schwarber with a four-seam fastball to move into the strikeout top 10.

Strikeout No. 3,516 for Max Scherzer!

He passes Walter Johnson for 10th place on the all-time Ks leaderboard 👏 pic.twitter.com/BpBRP4U4c2

— MLB (@MLB) August 8, 2026

“We’re talking top-10 anything in baseball, you’re lucky to be a small part of that,” manager John Schneider said.

Moving beyond Johnson and other all-time greats is an accomplishment in itself. Doing so in the current era of baseball, with rampant elbow inflammation and shorter starts than ever, is a different task. Behind Scherzer and Verlander, Chris Sale ranks No. 3 among active starters in strikeouts. The Atlanta Braves lefty, though, is still nearly 800 behind the top 10 and is 37 years old. He probably won’t crack the list. The active strikeouts leader among starters younger than 30 is San Francisco Giants righty Logan Webb at 1,095.

“Until MLB and the owners actually want to incentivize starting pitching and want to have starters pitch deeper into ballgames, it’s going to be probably a difficult thing to reach that milestone for somebody else,” Scherzer said. “But I think it’ll be done because I think eventually we’re going to look at it, and we’re going to want more starting pitching in the game.”

Maybe there will be a renaissance in complete games and high strikeout totals, but it certainly doesn’t seem as if baseball is trending that direction. There is a very real chance Scherzer is the last pitcher to rewrite the top-10 list.

Saturday’s strikeout looking, with Schwarber’s long walk back to the Phillies dugout, may be the last of its kind.

Guerrero Jr. went for MRI on hamstring, returns with a homer

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. returned Saturday from a three-game absence with a home run to deep left field. The Blue Jays first baseman has managed his ailing hamstring for weeks now, but this was the first time he was given a lengthy rest. The days off, Guerrero revealed Saturday, came after his hamstring was in real pain Tuesday in Houston. It prompted an MRI, which Guerrero said showed some inflammation.

“It was just a little bit of inflammation,” Guerrero said through team interpreter Hector Lebron. “Just a little bit. But I can go. I can play with it like that.”

If Guerrero can manage his legs and keep them fresh enough to turn on baseballs as he did Saturday, the Jays’ offence may trend in the right direction. Guerrero, as always, is the key to Toronto’s attack. His hamstring might be the key now, too.