The Philadelphia Eagles’ approach to building a strong offensive line has been a defining feature of the team for years. Four current starters have reached Pro Bowl status, with players stepping up seamlessly as others retire or move positions. When Brandon Brooks retired, Landon Dickerson took over. Jordan Mailata established himself at left tackle, while Lane Johnson remains a fixture at right tackle and is considered a future Hall of Famer.
Cam Jurgens is the latest to make an impact on the line. Drafted in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft, Jurgens spent time learning from veteran Jason Kelce before earning his spot at right guard in 2023. In 2024, he moved to center and became a Pro Bowl selection. His performance was central to the Eagles’ success in both running and passing plays last season.
During the NFC Championship Game, Jurgens played through a back injury that later required surgery, stepping in for Dickerson who had shifted from guard to center due to his own knee injury. “It just felt impossible physically all week for most of the playoffs,” Jurgens said on Monday. “You’ve just got to mentally will yourself to say you’re good and keep going and press on and get through it. It helps when you’re going through it and everybody else is dealing with stuff and you’ve got to be there for the guys. That’s just the name of the game.”
Jurgens emphasized how much responsibility members of the offensive line feel toward each other and their coach Jeff Stoutland. He described Stoutland as “relentless” and credited him with helping maintain high standards among players.
This offseason, Jurgens signed a contract extension, securing long-term continuity along with three other starters on the line. The organization’s strategy of building from the line out dates back to Andy Reid’s tenure as head coach.
Jurgens explained that accountability comes naturally within this group: “I think it comes naturally,” he said. “I think it comes from the level and standard being so high that you just don’t want to let people down and when you have a close bond to the guys in the room that you do and you care about them, you just don’t want to let them down.
“I think that’s kind of where it’s at.”
The starting job at right guard remains open as training camp begins, with Tyler Steen currently taking first-team reps.
Players like Jurgens and Dickerson are seen by coaches as key examples of what it means to support teammates during critical moments such as playoff games—an approach credited with helping deliver championships for Philadelphia.
