There aren’t many franchises like the Philadelphia Eagles. Not many have players who are heavily devoted to not only the culture, but to the city, and all that it represents. Jason Kelce is that guy and was that player. With his decision to retire announced on Monday, the Eagles are in a prime spot that teams are rarely in.
Eagles prepared for Jason Kelce’s retirement
Howie Roseman knew this day would come. With Kelce’s retirement looming greater as the years went by, the esteemed GM decided to go down a very secure and smart route last offseason. During the 2022 NFL Draft, Jason Kelce helped Roseman by handpicking his replacement. That man was Cam Jurgens, who then spent the next two years learning from one of the greatest to ever do it.
Cam Jurgens develops under the radar
It was no secret at the time that he would eventually replace Jason Kelce but not too many folks were aware of how good he could be. Jurgens played in 17 games during his rookie season at the right guard position which helped close a hole in the NFL’s best offensive line. Lined up between both Jason Kelce and Lane Johnson paid off greatly for the rookie as the team made it to the Super Bowl.
Jurgens didn’t have a single penalty called against him during that season which meant that the rookie was off to a great start. Shortly after that season, the Eagles drafted Tyler Steen to be the eventual right guard when Jason Kelce’s time ended. The theory was that Jurgens would logically slide back over to center, where he belonged, opening up the RG position for Steen.
Jurgens held onto the position for one more season as Kelce was convinced to play another year. Unfortunately, that year didn’t end like the one prior and the team embraced a historical collapse.
Jurgens fought through an injury during 2023 which limited him to 11 games last season. The Eagles greatly missed his presence especially in the run game as that seemed to falter during his absence. Jurgens is a good pass blocker but an even better run blocker which is the norm in Philadelphia. Their offensive linemen tend to like getting their hands dirty in the open field and Cam Jurgens fits in just fine.
But now he’ll be asked to take on a greater role. One that means he’s the anchor of the entire offensive line and the direct link to Jalen Hurts. They will have their growing pains but the idea is that both players grow together and pick up where Kelce and Hurts left off. Jurgens has a tough road ahead of him but the encouragement of being hand-selected by a legend to take his spot should give him the confidence boost needed to succeed.
Photo by Andy Lewis/Icon Sportswire
