Eagles Cut Hollywood Brown and Fred Johnson Speaks Out

WHO:

NBC Sports - Fred Johnson, 29, originally joined the Eagles in 2023.

philadelphiaeagles.com - The Philadelphia Eagles waived wide receiver Hollywood Brown and tackle Fred Johnson.

philadelphiaeagles.com - Brown, a former first-round pick, signed a one-year deal with the Eagles after playing three years with Baltimore, two with Arizona, and two with Kansas City.

philadelphiaeagles.com - Johnson was a member of the Eagles’ Super Bowl LIX championship team and joined Philadelphia in 2023.

Heavy NFL - NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported that the Eagles were releasing veteran offensive tackle Johnson, who had been with the team since 2023.

NBC Sports - ESPN’s Tim McManus reported that Brown requested his release; the Eagles and Brown reached a non-injury settlement.

NBC Sports - Johnson, 29, returned to Philadelphia on a one-year contract and was backing up rookie Markel Bell at right tackle.

WHAT:

NBC Sports - Johnson played 24 offensive snaps and 22 special-teams snaps this season.

philadelphiaeagles.com - Brown caught five passes for 63 yards in four games, including one start, and played 21 percent of the Eagles’ offensive snaps.

philadelphiaeagles.com - Johnson played seven games, primarily on special teams. Since joining the Eagles, he appeared in 58 regular-season games and six playoff contests, starting 15.

philadelphiaeagles.com - Johnson started six games during the Super Bowl LIX season and eight in 2025, when he played a career-high 626 offensive snaps, or 59 percent.

NBC Sports - Johnson played 24 offensive snaps and 22 special-teams snaps in seven games.

NBC Sports - Brown’s Eagles contract included a $3.7 million signing bonus and a $1.3 million base salary. His best season was 2021, when he recorded 91 catches, 1,008 receiving yards, and six touchdowns.

NBC Sports - Brown was a first-round pick by the Ravens in 2019, was traded to Arizona in 2022, and played for Kansas City in 2024 and 2025.

philadelphiaeagles.com - The Eagles said they had four open spots on the 53-man active roster after waiving Brown and Johnson. They had also waived running back Jaydon Blue and traded defensive tackle Jordan Davis to the Jaguars.

Heavy NFL - A separate article described the Eagles as having a 2-7 record in their 2026 campaign.

WHY:

NBC Sports - Johnson had been backing up rookie Markel Bell at right tackle after Lane Johnson retired during the season.

NBC Sports - Brown requested his release after being available in a trade but drawing no takers.

NBC Sports - Brown and the Eagles reached a non-injury settlement; the article said the arrangement presumably included Brown waiving his right to termination pay and possibly agreeing to return some bonus money.

HOW:

philadelphiaeagles.com - After the trade deadline, all players, including vested veterans such as Brown and Johnson, were subject to waivers through the postseason.

NBC Sports - Because the trade deadline had passed, Brown’s contract was subject to waivers. The article said his minimum base salary could attract a claim from a team willing to pay more than the prorated minimum.

The Philadelphia Eagles waived wide receiver Hollywood Brown and tackle Fred Johnson, opening two roster spots. Brown requested his release after attracting no trade offers; he caught five passes in four games. Johnson, a member of Philadelphia’s Super Bowl-winning team, played mainly on special teams this season.