The Eagles had been preparing for this inevitability beginning in the spring of 2022.

That’s when they asked Jason Kelce to view video of his eventual successor. Kelce fully endorsed Cam Jurgens, whom the Eagles drafted that April.

For the first year, Jurgens learned behind Kelce, who never missed a game as he finished his career starting in 156 consecutive games, a franchise record.

For the second year, as Kelce decided to return for the 2023 season, Jurgens played next to Kelce at right guard, and Eagles offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland said this was perhaps even more educational for Jurgens than serving as Kelce’s backup who never played.

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Then in March, Kelce announced his retirement in an emotional 41-minute speech. That capped a 13-year career with 7 Pro Bowl and 6 All-Pro selections.

“It’s perfect timing for him,” Stoutland said about Jurgens taking over. “Some may want to ask how did that help playing next to Kelce? That’s the question: How great that was for him to be on the field and playing in games, hearing what Kelce is saying, and how he’s saying it, and be right there next to him?

“I think that was a tremendous help.”

It will have to be. After all, it’s not easy replacing a legend like Kelce, a likely Hall of Famer as soon as he’s eligible in five years.

That’s why Jurgens is No. 4 in our countdown of the top 9 most interesting Eagles heading into the 2024 season.

This was all part of the Eagles’ plan.

“Cam Jurgens was brought here two years ago for the reason of when Kelce does retire, that we have a guy who we really identified as being a top-level center, in our opinion,” Stoutland said. “Cam just so happened to check a lot of the boxes of foot and body quickness. He’s powerful, he has great core strength, he has the ability to communicate.”

Why Cam Jurgens can replace Jason Kelce?
It’s never easy following a legend. And that’s especially true for someone as beloved by his teammates and fan base the way Kelce was.

Jurgens, at least at this early stage of his career, isn’t as outgoing as Kelce off the field. But Jurgens is a student of the game much like Kelce was. And at 6-foot-3, 303 pounds, he’s got a similar athletic build as Kelce.

And Jurgens has shown signs of being both athletic and fast enough to get downfield to block linebackers and defensive backs the way Kelce used to.

Still, Jurgens knows the scrutiny will fall on him to make sure the Eagles’ offensive line remains among the NFL’s best without Kelce.

How Cam Jurgens handles the pressure of replacing Kelce
That’s what Jurgens is focusing on, and not the pressure of replacing Kelce.

“I’m not trying to be somebody’s replacement or somebody’s next person,” Jurgens said. “I’m just trying to be myself. Can I be the best football player I can be at wherever position they put me? That’s what I’m going to do. I’m not worried about anything else besides what I can control, and I think that’s all I’ve got to worry about at the end of the day.”

Or as right tackle Lane Johnson put it: “There’s no replacing Kelce. Cam’s not trying to be Kelce. He’s trying to be his own player. It’s been good, but we’re gonna miss him.”

Contact Martin Frank at [email protected]. Follow on X @Mfranknfl.