It appears that Jessica Simpson’s marriage may be facing some challenges. Her husband, former NFL player Eric Johnson, was recently spotted without his wedding ring, adding fuel to the growing rumors that the couple might be headed for divorce.
The 45-year-old ex-tight end was photographed taking a walk with his parents in Los Angeles on Tuesday, notably without his wedding ring on his left hand. Johnson kept a low profile during the outing, wearing a dark hoodie, dark-wash jeans, and Nike sneakers. He also sported black sunglasses and a backward baseball cap, seemingly trying to keep a low profile.
The ringless appearance coincided with reports that the couple, who have been married since 2014, have stopped attending their children’s school events together. A source exclusively told Page Six that in recent months, Jessica Simpson, 44, and Eric Johnson have not been seen attending these events as a couple.
The source claimed that while Simpson used to attend events either alone or with Johnson, it has now become just Johnson showing up by himself.
“In years past, Jess always attended events at the school either solo or with Eric. Never Eric alone. But recently, it’s just been Eric,” the source shared to Page Six. “As you can imagine, there’s been a lot of gossip among the parents.”
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The couple share three children: daughters Maxwell, 12, and Birdie, 5, as well as son Ace, 11. Their absence as a united front at their children’s school functions has raised eyebrows, sparking speculation among other parents and the media.
Earlier this week, Jessica Simpson further fueled breakup rumors with a cryptic social media post. She shared a series of sensual photos of herself, captioning them with a message that many interpreted as a hint at her marital struggles. “Interviews in my Nashville music room where I unearthed my singular magic,” Simpson wrote. “This comeback is personal, it’s an apology to myself for putting up with everything I did not deserve.”
Fans quickly flocked to the comments section, theorizing that the post hinted at her newly single status. Others, however, suggested that Simpson could be referring to her return to music and the creative process rather than her marriage.
Adding to the speculation, Jessica’s sister, Ashlee Simpson, was approached by a paparazzo later that day and asked about the rumors surrounding Jessica and Eric’s relationship. The photographer bluntly asked, “Do you know anything about it? Is that true?” Ashlee, 40, responded with a straightforward, “No,” seemingly dismissing the rumors.
Jessica herself has also been seen without her wedding ring on several occasions over the past few months, further adding to the buzz about the state of her marriage.
Despite these recent developments, there have been moments that suggested all was well between the two. Back in February, Simpson and Johnson were seen enjoying a romantic Valentine’s Day date at Ivy at the Shore in Santa Monica, California, appearing affectionate and at ease with each other.
The last time Jessica publicly expressed her love for Johnson was in September 2023, when she took to Instagram to celebrate his 44th birthday. “Eric turned 44 on Sept 15 and his family gave him all the love cells we have to celebrate his life,” she wrote. “My heart is so taken with this Man, I could hardly call it my own….We love youuuu (he ain’t an Instagram guy, but I always think the more good wishes the better).”
Jessica Simpson and Eric Johnson tied the knot in July 2014, and their nearly decade-long marriage has often been in the public eye. Before her marriage to Johnson, Simpson was famously married to Nick Lachey, with their relationship chronicled on the MTV reality show “Newlyweds: Nick and Jessica.”
While the current state of Jessica and Eric’s marriage remains uncertain, the recent developments—Johnson’s ringless appearance, the cryptic social media posts, and the absence from school events—have certainly sparked concerns and raised questions.
Whether this is merely a rough patch or something more serious, fans of the couple are left hoping for clarity in the days to come.
