It’ll Be Hard For Eagles To Keep Cam Jurgens Off The Field

When you look back to the Eagles’ draft haul, two physically imposing man-movers have drawn the spotlight. While Jordan Davis has holstered headlines this summer, another athlete with likewise physicality could prove to provide just as much of an impact as we move into future seasons in Philadelphia. A talent that flew under the radar during the college football season, center Cam Jurgens’ rise from underrated to second-round pick saw one of the biggest draft board leaps of any player in the 2022 class. The anchor of a Nebraska Cornhuskers line that has produced its fair share of big uglies in years past, Jurgens’ athleticism and production have quickly caught the attention of Eagles brass.

Cam Jurgens was expected to make himself money today.

He’s off to a heck of a start with a fluid 4.91 40. pic.twitter.com/bSHRLKlZOX

— Ryan Fowler (@_RyanFowler_) March 4, 2022

At 6-foot-3 and 303 pounds, Jurgens fits exactly what Philadelphia and head coach Nick Sirianni idealize within the lungs of their offensive line. While the selection of Landon Dickerson last year looked to represent Jason Kelce’s eventual heir apparent, the former Alabama standout quickly found a home at left guard, leaving the Eagles in a tricky spot with a successful, albeit aging center last fall. But here’s Jurgens, a second-rounder in April and a dominant force all summer for an offense expected to rank among the league’s best. While Kelce remains in place at the ripe age of 34, the future for Jurgens could be closer on the horizon than it appears.

With Kelce out as he rehabs from elbow surgery, Jurgens worked with the first and second-team offensive units in the first half of the Eagles’ opening preseason game. He looked the part. While many have compared Jurgens to the potential Hall of Famer in Kelce due to his rare combination of power and athleticism, Jurgens is taking it one step at a time in the infant stages of his NFL career, leaning on those around him to reduce first-year hiccups.

“All the veterans on the o-line, everybody’s great,” Jurgens said. “They’re all kind of helping me and it’s been like that. It’s cool because I started this game, but nothing really changed with those veterans. They’re saying the same stuff, helping me. It’s been like that this whole camp. Couldn’t be in a better room.”

An uber-experienced group headlined by another potential Canton enshrinee in Lane Johnson and athletic marvel Jordan Mailata, Jurgens’ addition jigsawed nicely against the Jets.

#Eagles 2nd-Round pick Cam Jurgens did some really good things in his preseason debut as well. Athleticism was put on display, for sure, but don't miss his power at the point of attack! #FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/W9j5H01WZx

— Fran Duffy (@EaglesXOs) August 15, 2022

His performance was nothing short of outstanding. With his footwork, ability to pinch and pull, and strong hands at the point of attack, it’ll be tough to keep Jurgens off the field despite the juice that Kelce still has as he enters year 12. Furthermore, although he is expected to be 100% for Week 1, if the 2021 All-Pro is to suffer any sort of setback as he prepares for action, the play of  Cam Jurgens—albeit a small sample size—should allow Sirianni to feel plenty comfortable in deploying his young anchor.