Cam Jurgens offers unique take on expected position switch ahead of sophomore Eagles season
They grow up so quickly, don't they? Cam Jurgens' first season with the Philadelphia Eagles provided an experience that most would do anything to acquire. He was mentored by one of the best players in franchise history and a future Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee, Jason Kelce. He earned both playoff experience and was part of a team that qualified for the Super Bowl. One has to ask. What else could come after that?
Here's an idea. You're going to love this one. How about a starting role on one of the best offensive lines in franchise history as you continue to be mentored by Kelce and the best offensive line coach walking Planet Earth?
Cam Jurgens is more than ready for his shot to be the Eagles' starting right guard.
Eagles OTAs (organized team activities) are underway. Philadelphia will enjoy six sessions by the time they are done and will then break for the summer. There will again be no mandatory minicamp on the schedule.
The second of those six practice sessions fell on June 1st and was open to the media. 60 minutes later, a few of the guys from the roster hung out with reporters and answered a few questions. One was Jason Kelce's understudy.
How does Cam Jurgens feel about potentially replacing Isaac Seumalo in a starting role for the coming NFL campaign? What does he believe to be his largest obstacles as he transitions from being a center at Nebraska to playing right guard in the Philadelphia Eagles offense?
He answered with a smile. "It's not as challenging from going from tight end to center"! Well, we would imagine that he's right about that.
Cam grew up in Pickrell, Nebraska and attended Beatrice High School. He played tight end, fullback, linebacker, and even filled in as a punter when need be as a prep star on the football team. He also played basketball and threw shot put and discus on the track team.
He'd accept a scholarship to join the Cornhuskers. He played football and threw shot put for the track team there as well. That would explain the athleticism, wouldn't it?
As a freshman in 2018, Jurgens played tight end but suffered an injury in his first game and was redshirted for the rest of the season. After recovering, he made the switch to become an interior offensive lineman and started at center for all 12 of Nebraska's games in 2019. That was the first time that had happened since 1972.
As a redshirt sophomore, he started seven of Nebraska's eight games of the COVID-19-shortened 2020 run. He earned Third-Team All-Big Ten honors as a redshirt junior. Philly selected him 51st overall during the 2022 NFL Draft, but the challenges are only beginning.
He'll be given every opportunity to seize a starting role, but rookie Tyler Steen will be breathing down his neck during camp. Here's something that you'll want to keep in mind.
Under Jeff Stoutland's watch, Philadelphia normally has fielded larger right guards. Jason Kelce, as great as he is, has always been an undersized center, and Lane Johnson feels most comfortable when having a larger guard to his left. Cam, at six-foot-three and 303 pounds, like Kelce, is undersized. Steen, on the other hand, is six-foot-six and tips the scales at 321 pounds.
Right now, we're thinking Cam will wind up winning the job, but don't be shocked if our minds change tomorrow. it will be fun to watch both Jurgens and Steen in action. The Eagles are smiling. They're deeper along the offensive line now. That's always a great thing in the NFL.