Over the last 11 years, Eagles offensive tackle Lane Johnson never had to worry about the middle of their offensive line.

Johnson always knew that center Jason Kelce, who retired this offseason after playing 13 seasons in the NFL, would be consistent. Kelce made the right calls, demolished opposing defenders, battled through pain and was the leader of the offensive line room.

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Cam Jurgens, who is the new starting center, has already built chemistry with Johnson and the rest of the offensive line. During the Eagles’ first training camp practice on Wednesday, Jurgens showed Johnson that’s ready to take over for Kelce.

“It was good (to work with Jurgens),” Johnson told reporters. “I’ve had some reps with him before. Obviously, (it’s) different with Kelce on (the field). A little bit different cadence, timing. (I am) getting used to it. I thought he did really well. Communication was good, and I think that’s probably the most important as far as getting a new group together.”

The left side of the Eagles’ offensive line remains intact with offensive tackle Jordan Mailata and offensive guard Landon Dickerson. On the right side, Johnson is still one of the best tackles in the league.

If Jurgens plays well, the Eagles’ offensive line should be dominant again.

He started at right guard in 2023 because Kelce came back for one more year. Pro Football Focus ranked him 29th among guards last season. After moving back to center, Jurgens might receive a better grade in 2024.

One of Jurgens’ biggest responsibilities will be to help Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts diagnose where pressure is coming from and to help him put the right protections in place.

“I think it’s a collaborative thing with myself and Cam,” Hurts said. “We just have to build that relationship. He knows that I have a lot of confidence in him to do the job and be the player he is. He stepped up for us in big moments and played hard for us last year.

“He’s been ready. He’s ready to lead that offensive line room. I know those guys are going to lean on him.”

Over the last 15 years, defensive end Brandon Graham has seen Johnson, Kelce and other Eagles’ offensive lineman develop into high-end starters.

Graham believes that Jurgens and offensive guard Tyler Steen are on their way to becoming good players. He is excited to watch them push each other and make improvements.

“I see that they ready for their moment,” Graham said. “They know it’s going to be a battle. It’s going to be a battle. But that’s what you want. You want competition. You want them boys to make sure that they are working every day and getting better.

“How (are) they going to handle the ups and downs? Because it ain’t going to be perfect every day. But it’s how you handle all this. I know they (are) excited just to be in that position (to take on bigger roles).”

Other than a few other players, nobody on the Eagles is facing more pressure than Jurgens this season.

After the 2022 draft, Kelce said he helped the Eagles scout centers that offseason. Of all the center prospects, he said his favorite player to watch was Jurgens, who the Eagles selected in the second round. Kelce thought Jurgens could do some of the things that he was able to do.

Throughout the years, Kelce blocked defenders at the second level because of his elite athleticism.

Jurgens, who played tight end at Nebraska before moving to center, moves like Kelce. Despite the resemblance, it would still be unfair to expect Jurgens to play at Kelce’s level.

“Obviously, you can’t replace Jason Kelce,” Johnson said. “He’s not trying to. He’s trying to be his own player.”

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