Jessica Simpson's 'Marital Issues' with Eric Johnson 'Felt Suffocating' as Source Says 'She Needs to Move on' (Exclusive)

Jessica Simpson and Eric Johnson's marriage was on the rocks for some time.

Days after the singer, actress and business woman announced her marriage had come to an end, a source told PEOPLE their differences were getting to be too much.

"Their marital issues have felt suffocating for a while," the source said, adding, "She needs to move on for her own well-being."

On Monday, Jan. 13, Simpson, 44, announced her separation from the retired NFL player, 45, in a statement to PEOPLE.

"Eric and I have been living separately navigating a painful situation in our marriage," Simpson said. "Our children come first, and we are focusing on what is best for them. We are grateful for all of the love and support that has been coming our way, and appreciate privacy right now as we work through this as a family."

Related: All the Signs Jessica Simpson and Eric Johnson Were Having Trouble — and Nearing a Split 

Earlier this week, another insider told PEOPLE they had been "separated for a while" but "Jess is doing OK."

The "I Belong to Me" singer is currently gearing up for her musical comeback and she's still "excited about her new album," the source said, but "separating is not anything she's taken lightly."

Simpson and Johnson — who tied the knot in 2014 — share three kids: daughters Maxwell "Maxi" Drew, 12, and Birdie Mae, 5, and son Ace Knute, 11.

"They have already figured out a new schedule for the kids," a source told PEOPLE, adding they're "both great parents."

"The kids will always come first. They are co-parenting," they continued. "She's grateful for her kids."

A few months before the split announcement, Johnson was spotted walking in Los Angeles without his wedding band. At the time, a source told PEOPLE they "very much live separate lives."

That same month, Simpson — who also hadn't worn her rings for months on social media — teased her comeback to music on Instagram and included a cryptic message in her caption.

"Interviews in my Nashville music room where I unearthed my singular magic," she captioned the November post, adding that her upcoming music "comeback is personal, it’s an apology to myself for putting up with everything I did not deserve 🎶 🎼 🤍🖤"

Read the original article on People