Highly-paid Eagles starter becoming major concern after ugly performance: ‘I got to get better’

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Eagles offensive lineman Cam Jurgens was thrown into a difficult position during Philadelphia‘s 24-20 victory over the Tennessee Titans on Sunday.

For the first time in his career, Jurgens started at left guard, which could be his new home for the next three weeks or longer.

After left guard Landon Dickerson was placed on injured reserve last week, the Eagles shuffled their offensive line, making Drew Kendall the starting center to better suit Kendall’s skill set and moving Jurgens from center to left guard.

Jurgens told reporters after Sunday’s game that moving positions made him “excited, nervous and anxious.” Heading into the game, he knew that blocking Titans All-Pro defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons would be a daunting first assignment at a new position.

With 6:08 remaining in the fourth quarter, Simmons powered through Jurgens’ block and delivered a hit on Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts. Hurts had DeVonta Smith wide open down the sideline, but his pass fell short into the arms of Titans cornerback Marcus Harris for an interception.

It was not Jurgens’ only bad play — he was beaten on several other plays — but this was his most notable error because it came at a critical moment with the game tied 17-17. The Titans took advantage on the next drive and kicked a field goal to go ahead 20-17.

Hurts led the Eagles on a game-winning drive on their last possession, and Jurgens held up better.

“Everything’s different,” Jurgens said about playing left guard. “Your hands are different, feet are different, you’re kicking different. It’s weird. It’s like if you’re a basketball player and you always dunk on one foot and all of a sudden you got to be a two-foot dunker and change everything.

“But at the same time, like I’m saying, we’re all just football players. It’s still football. I got to get better and play better and I’m excited to do that. But you know, I played some good football today and got enough to win the game.”

The Eagles rushed for only 89 yards against the Titans, and Hurts faced significant pressure throughout the game. Philadelphia’s interior offensive line, especially Jurgens, contributed to the issues that made the offense stall.

Eagles offensive tackle Jordan Mailata said the offensive line is not panicking about its performance in the first two games. With the scheme change the Eagles made this offseason and the recent lineup reshuffle, Mailata knows it’s going to take time for everyone to jell and play well.

Philadelphia is off to a 2-0 start despite inconsistent play from Jurgens, Dickerson and other starters.

“To be honest, I thought Cam did a great job,” said Mailata, who plays on the left side, next to Jurgens. “Could have helped him out a little more with my set lines. Selfless act by the guy to just be like, ‘Yup, whatever the team needs.’ Again, that’s really hard to do. It’s really hard to go from left tackle to right tackle. But then you’re telling your center to go center to left guard. That’s tough to do. It’s a whole different look.”

Jurgens started 11 games in 2023 at right guard. After Jason Kelce retired, he moved back to center in 2024 and earned a Pro Bowl selection that year.

Once considered one of the league’s best centers, Jurgens has seen his future at the position become uncertain after struggling with injuries.

The Eagles could keep Jurgens at left guard and make him compete against Dickerson when he returns.

“I’m a soldier,” Jurgens said about his mindset. “I march my orders and whatever I’m asked to do, I’m going to do it to my best abilities.”

The Eagles gave Jurgens a four-year, $68 million extension after their Super Bowl victory in 2024. He hasn’t lived up to that contract, and a position change will only make it harder to meet those expectations.

Jurgens gave up three pressures and one sack in Week 2, per Pro Football Focus. He was also called for a 10-yard holding penalty, which was his third holding penalty of the season.

After the game, Jurgens said he planned on watching his film against Simmons to see where he could improve.

“It’s flipping your mindset and getting your mind right, getting ready for doing everything you can to help this team,” Jurgens said. “And it can always be frustrations and whatnot. But at the end of the day, coming out here, we’re playing football, we’re all football players and that was so damn exciting to go down there in a two-minute drill and win the game.”

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