As the Philadelphia Eagles prepare for a new season, a significant change is underway at the heart of their offensive line. Cam Jurgens is stepping into the role of center, succeeding renowned veteran Jason Kelce. While stepping into Kelce's shoes might seem daunting, Jurgens is poised to carve out his own legacy with the Eagles.
A New Era at Center
Cam Jurgens' journey to becoming the Eagles' starting center has been unconventional. Over the past two years, Jurgens has demonstrated his versatility by playing different positions on the offensive line. With 43 snaps at center in his two NFL seasons, he has the foundational experience but has yet to start a game at that position for the team. Despite these limited opportunities, Jurgens earned the starting right guard spot last year and excelled.
A testament to his adeptness, Jurgens did not allow a single sack in 631 pass-blocking snaps last season. Furthermore, his pressure rate allowed per dropback was an impressive 4.9%, as he permitted only 18 pressures over the season. His performance has not gone unnoticed by teammates and coaches alike, who speak highly of his potential and transition back to his natural position at center.
Endorsements from Teammates
Among those who have voiced their support for Jurgens is Landon Dickerson, his teammate on the Eagles' offensive line. Dickerson acknowledges the inevitable comparisons between Jurgens and Kelce but emphasizes the importance of Jurgens forging his own path. "He's gonna hear it from you guys all the time. That's gonna happen. No offense, you guys got used to that and that's gonna be your comparison. And so, he's handling that extremely well. It's not trying to replace Kelce. Cam's gonna make his own legacy, his own path, his own destiny. He's gonna be Cam Jurgens. His name is not Jason Kelce. He's not gonna try to be 62. He's gonna do what Cam Jurgens does," Dickerson asserted.
Dickerson further elaborated on Jurgens' attributes and his adaptability in transitioning roles. "Cam's creating his own path right now. Really smart guy, physical guy, strong guy. Moves well. He's handling this transition from going from guard and a little bit of center last year to playing center right now. Communication has been good," he stated.
Handling the Upheaval
The offseason has brought its share of changes to the Eagles' roster, including the addition of Mekhi Becton. As the team shuffles various personnel in different tackle spots, Jurgens' ability to communicate effectively has been crucial. Dickerson highlighted this aspect, noting, "You never know what happens when guys get hurt right? You're rotating guys in. Mekhi's [Becton] coming in. We got guys stepping in at different tackle (spots). Changing up the group. Just the way he's been able to handle the communication and different guys get out there, you never know what's gonna happen. I think he's done a tremendous job so far of just (providing) clear communication to everybody and setting the standard of how things are supposed to be done in the huddle before we get them the ball. He's handling it great."
Transitioning to a new role always comes with challenges, especially when it involves filling the shoes of a seasoned predecessor like Kelce. However, the support from teammates and coaches, coupled with his demonstrated competence and potential, suggests that Cam Jurgens is well on his way to making a significant impact at center for the Philadelphia Eagles.
As the season unfolds, all eyes will be on Jurgens to see how he shapes his own narrative and contributes to the Eagles' pursuit of success. For now, the focus remains on preparation, communication, and the unwavering goal of elevating the team’s performance on the field.