Eagles' Cam Jurgens shuts down Jason Kelce replacement talks: "I just have to be myself"
For the first time in 13 years, the Philadelphia Eagles are preparing to go for a season of football without Jason Kelce. But the front office has shown faith in young Cam Jurgens. However, he has made one thing clear, he will not be replicating Kelce.
During his time at the Lincoln Financial Field, Kelce not only made the position of center his own, but he refined and redefined it for the entire league. He is rightly considered one of the best at his position. Now, 24-year-old Jurgens will put on his cleats to play the same role, but differently.
Jurgens was drafted in the 2022 NFL Draft in the second round. The Eagles drafted him as a long-term replacement for Jason Kelce, and he spent his rookie year being mentored by Kelce himself and playing a few minutes in each game. Now he will be a sure-shot starter for the Eagles, but he clarified he is not here to replace Kelce. Jurgens said (via NBC Sports):
“At the end of the day, I just have to be myself. I’m not trying to be somebody’s replacement or somebody’s next person. I’m just trying to be myself and asking myself if I can be the best football player I can be.
"And wherever position they put me, that’s what I’m going to do. I’m not worried about anything besides what I can control, and I think that’s all I have to worry about at the end of the day."
This year will mark a major shift not only for the Eagles but also for Jurgens, who has the difficult job of marshaling the offensive line for the team.
Cam Jurgens has experience across the offensive front
While Jurgens didn't enjoy much game time in his rookie season, that was not the case in his sophomore season. He filled the squad as a right guard and started every game when fit. However, this wasn't the first time in his career that he had to make a positional change.
Cam Jurgens joined his college team, the Nebraska Cornhuskers, as a tight end and then transitioned to center. Now, he will have to transition back to center from right guard. In doing so, he will undoubtedly be compared to the great Jason Kelce.