Stephen A. Smith Blasted for Mocking Lane Johnson’s Mental Health Retirement on First Take

Stephen A. Smith is facing a wave of backlash after mocking Philadelphia Eagles legend Lane Johnson’s retirement on Wednesday’s “First Take,” suggesting the six-time Pro Bowler’s decision to step away for his mental health was really about the Eagles’ rocky start to the season. The comments, delivered with an impersonation of Johnson and laughter, drew immediate pushback from his own panel and ignited fierce criticism across the NFL media landscape.

Smith is no stranger to inflammatory takes on ESPN’s flagship debate show, but this one landed differently given the subject matter. Johnson, 36, announced his retirement Tuesday after 14 seasons as the Eagles’ starting right tackle, all spent in Philadelphia, closing out a career that included two Super Bowl rings, two All-Pro nods and six Pro Bowl selections. He has also been one of the NFL’s most visible mental health advocates, having missed three games in 2021 while dealing publicly with depression, anxiety and withdrawal symptoms after discontinuing SSRI medication.

What Smith Said on First Take

Four games into the Eagles’ 2026 season, with Philadelphia sitting at 2-2 and dealing with a shaky run game, a struggling passing attack and a hamstring injury to Saquon Barkley, Johnson posted a statement saying it was “critical” that he focus on his mental health and spend more time with his family. On Wednesday’s broadcast, Smith mocked the timing of the decision, imitating Johnson’s voice: “You know what? I’m gonna call it quits.” He continued, “Four games into the 2026 season, a dude that has been in the league forever, sits back and says, ‘I need to focus on my mental health.’ Am I making it up?” Smith went further, impersonating Johnson again: “And this brother said, ‘Hey, my life matters. It’s time. I’m gonna call it quits. My mental health. My mental.'”

Panelist Kimberley A. Martin pushed back in real time, telling Smith, “I feel like you’re making light of the situation,” while co-host Chris “Mad Dog” Russo noted that Johnson had been contemplating retirement well before the Eagles’ recent stumbles and had already signaled before the season began that 2026 would likely be his last year. Smith attempted a partial walk-back later in the segment, saying, “Let me be very, very clear and specific about what I’m saying: I would never make light of mental health issues. I’m making light of the Philadelphia Eagles’ trashy situation right now.” He has not issued a direct apology to Johnson.

The Backlash Across the League

The reaction was swift and largely unified against Smith. NFL analyst Brett Kollmann called the comments “incredibly insensitive” given Johnson’s family situation, adding that “quite frankly it’s pretty appalling.” Former NFL offensive lineman Geoff Schwartz said Smith “clearly has no idea why he retired or any backstory.” Philadelphia broadcasters and national media figures alike piled on, with critics arguing that mocking a public mental health disclosure, regardless of the messenger’s ratings strategy, crosses a line that debate television shouldn’t cross. Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie had struck a starkly different tone Tuesday, saying Johnson’s willingness to speak openly about his struggles “has undoubtedly saved lives.”

Johnson’s retirement leaves third-round pick Markel Bell as the presumptive starter at right tackle for a Philadelphia team now also learning to adjust its offensive line on the fly. Eagles bettors across Pennsylvania and beyond, many of whom use Pennsylvania sportsbooks to track Philadelphia’s playoff and divisional odds, will be watching how the shakeup up front affects the team’s protection and run-blocking the rest of the season. The controversy also lands amid a broader cultural reckoning over how sports media treats athletes who speak candidly about mental health, a conversation Johnson himself has been central to for years. Whether Smith addresses the criticism further on a future broadcast remains to be seen, but for now, the loudest voice in sports debate television is the one being talked about, for all the wrong reasons.