What retirement of star means for Eagles offensive line

Following Jason Kelce’s emotional retirement news conference on Monday, the Eagles are left with an infinite gap of their lineup.

Changing the 13-year veteran — a participant who made All-Professional six occasions and is taken into account by some to be the best heart in NFL historical past and presumably the best Eagle — might be difficult.

Third-year participant Cam Jurgens, who began 11 video games at proper guard for Philadelphia in 2023, is anticipated to take over for Kelce. The Eagles drafted the 6-foot-3, 303-pound Jurgens within the second spherical in 2022 out of Nebraska with the hope that he would at some point fill Kelce’s spot within the lineup. 

With Kelce anchoring the unit, the offensive line has been a energy of the Eagles for years. Head coach Nick Sirianni and Co. depend on the famend line to pave the way in which for the working sport, shield quarterback Jalen Hurts and to reliably execute the workforce’s well-known “Brotherly Shove” play.

Jurgens is the beneficiary of offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland’s tutelage and was touted by Kelce to be his alternative, however somebody must take his job at proper guard.

The Eagles have 2023 third-round choose Tyler Steen (Alabama) on the roster. Drafted as a sort out, Steen performed guard as a rookie. 

Strong choices may be obtainable in free company, together with Ravens guard Kevin Zeitler. An alternative choice may be Packers guard Jon Runyan Jr., whose father performed for Philadelphia for 9 years.

The Eagles additionally maintain the No. 22 choose within the 2024 NFL Draft and will effectively use a excessive choose to put money into a sort out to fill in at guard and slide over to sort out after Professional Bowler Lane Johnson, 33, retires.