The ink isn't dry on that recent Cam Jurgens extension yet, but the consensus is relatively consistent. Fans, media, and teammates (both current and former) all approve. Philadelphia Eagles GM Howie Roseman knocked another one out of the park and did so on the first pitch thrown, but what else is new?
Philly's business model ensures this well-oiled machine keeps churning. Here, they check two boxes: ensuring they remain elite in the trenches and extending their best young players sooner rather than later.
Cam was entering the final year of his rookie contract. Per verified reports, he's signed a four-year, $68 million extension with $39.4 million guaranteed. He's now in the fold through the 2029 NFL season and the second-highest-paid center in the NFL behind Creed Humphrey. He also won't hit free agency until 2030 when he's 31 years old.
But, there's more to the story. Though we typically avoid the temptation to jump to conclusions, two can be drawn as Philly begins Phase 1 of its offseason program.
Here are two things Cam Jurgens' extension taught us about the current state of the Eagles.
There will be no 'State of the Union' address immediately following Philly's latest move. Had there been, we're well aware of two questions that would have been asked (and, coincidentally, how those questions would have been answered).
One involves long-term theories about Jason Kelce's successor. Another involves the first-round draftee taken 38 spots ahead of him in the 2022 NFL Draft.
Throw out any concerns about Cam Jurgens continuing to struggle with back issues.
One day, we'll be old and grey. We'll tell the grandchildren about the heroics displayed by Landon Dickerson and Cam Jurgens during an NFC Championship Game vs. the Washington Commanders.
Call it a legacy game of sorts. Two of Philly's young offensive linemen willed themselves to compete, ignoring the physical limitations they were suffering from.
Landon Dickerson started at center for Cam as the latter suffered from back issues, but Jurgens remained active at kickoff. That proved beneficial for Philadelphia as Landon would have to sub out because of a lower-body injury.
His replacement was none other than Cam Jurgens.
While no injury can be ignored, any concerns related to one's back are taken very seriously. We've seen players endure similar setbacks before and never return to form once cleared for return, former Eagle Tim Jernigan and former Dallas Cowboy and rival Michael Irvin for instance.
A four-year extension offered to Jurgens suggests there's a silver lining here. This suggests Philadelphia's medical team sees no chance of lingering and ongoing issues.
That, friends, is perhaps the best news we can gather from Cam's reported payday, but what does this say about the Eagles' confidence in Jordan Davis?
Can we argus the Eagles value Cam Jurgens more than Jordan Davis?
Typically, when teams construct an extension, the natural course of action is to set our sights on guys who might be next in line for one of their own. Enter Jordan Davis.
Taken 38 picks ahead of Jurgens during the 2022 NFL Draft, we still aren't certain of Jordan Davis's standing with Philly past the coming season. Is it unfair to state that the recent Jurgens news also means the Birds place more value in Cam at this juncture?
Now, there are more moving parts with a potential Davis deal. He's a former first-round selection, the 13th player taken in 2022. That means he has a fifth-year option baked into his rookie deal. Might Philly exercise that option? But, here's another question? How come they haven't done so yet?
Make no mistake. Jordan Davis is gifted, but while he has done everything Philly has asked of him so far during his career, there are no guarantees he'll be on this roster in 2026.
We'd all like to see him return, but what happens if Philly drafts an interior defensive lineman early in the coming NFL Draft?
Keep an eye on Davis moving forward. It would seem he'd be the likely candidate to be extended next. It's also possible to make successful arguments about why the Eagles would be tempted to move on, especially when they must consider many of their other young players who will be in line for paydays in the not-so-distant future.