Cam Jurgens worried about filling Jason Kelce’s locker, not his shoes originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia
Despite the overflowing mess that took thirteen seasons to accumulate, Jason Kelce’s old lockers were finally cleared out earlier this season.
A new tenant had to move in.
“I don’t know how many truckloads it took,” Cam Jurgens joked.
The back right corner of the Eagles’ locker room at the NovaCare Complex is symbolic. With only five spaces past the door to the players’ lounge, the Eagles position their five offensive linemen in order from left tackle to right tackle. After Kelce retired this season, the Eagles moved Jurgens one spot to the left.
And that will take some getting used to.
“It feels a little weird,” Jurgens said Wednesday, just a few days after the Eagles reported for the start of their voluntary offseason program.
“Kelce is gone and they moved my locker to his, so that’s obviously a little weird. I went to the wrong locker a few times and was like, ‘Oh man, this isn’t mine anymore.’ Getting used to things. But it’s nice to come back here and get back into the swing of things.
Jurgens has finally moved into Kelce’s locker, but he’s not trying to fill his shoes.
Even with a two-year starting job, it’s likely a bit intimidating for Jurgens as he prepares to replace a future Hall of Famer and one of the best players in franchise history, who also happens to be one of the most beloved players in franchise history is. .
It can be a burden, but Jurgens doesn’t see it that way.
“At the end of the day, just be myself,” Jurgens said. “I’m not trying to be someone’s replacement or someone’s next person. I just try to be myself. I’m trying to be the best footballer I can be and whatever position they give me, that’s what I’m going to do.
“I don’t worry about anything other than what I can control, and I think that’s all I have to worry about at the end of the day. I think when you start putting it in those perspectives and terms and people like to compare, you just put different things on your shoulders that you have to carry. And really, what can I do today? What can I do to learn? What can I do to improve and how can I become the best footballer I can be? And not: how can I be what he was? What are we going to do tomorrow? That’s how I have to look at it.”
The Eagles drafted Jurgens with the 51st overall pick in the 2022 draft out of Nebraska, knowing this day was a possibility. They didn’t know exactly when but Kelce retired and after a few “pump fakes,” as Jalen Hurts called it, Kelce finally left the game last month.
Now it is Jurgens’ turn to take over the franchise center.
That’s why they drafted him.
After what ended up being a redshirt season as a rookie in 2022, Jurgens took over for Isaac Seumalo, who left in free agency as right guard for the 2023 season. Even though he played from his most natural position, the experience he gained during the first twelve starts of his NFL career was extremely valuable. And it puts him in a much better position to take over at center for the Eagles.
“Certainly,” says Jurgens. “Being able to play guard last year and be on the field will help me more than anything. I think I’m getting actual reps, being on the field, sitting next to the guy. So when I step into that spot, whoever the guards are next to me, I can help them because I was in that spot. Gain experience. I have been lucky to be here for two years and every year you strive to get a little better. We are looking forward to that this year.”
For now, Jurgens’ old vault is occupied by 2023 third-round pick Tyler Steen, who is the top incumbent at the right guard spot, but we’ll see if next week’s draft changes the pecking order.
What isn’t really a question, however, is Jurgens’ status. While there were some questions from the outside as to whether or not Jurgens would take over the central role, it always seemed very clear that he would. The Eagles used a second-round pick on Jurgens to ultimately replace Kelce. And they were drawn to his unique athleticism because of the similarity between his profile and Kelce’s. And yes, they even let Kelce help find his eventual replacement, and Kelce really liked Jurgens.
While at Nebraska, Jurgens had typical center responsibilities as the man on the phone up front. That will be another big part of his transition to playing the position for the Eagles in 2024.
Over the past two years, Jurgens has absorbed knowledge from his predecessor. Kelce was the ideal player to learn from, both as a backup and as a linemate.
“It’s easy to follow someone like that and learn from them,” says Jurgens. “It’s just going to be a little different without him this year.”
Now it’s time to see him take over.
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