Eagles: Jason Kelce apologized to Cam Jurgens for returning for the 2023 season
When Jason Kelce opted not to retire, he apologized to Cam Jurgens for good reason.
Jason Kelce thought about retirement after the Philadelphia Eagles lost in the Super Bowl early in 2023.
And then he opted to hang around for at least one more season. So, as any teammate would, Kelce apologized to Cam Jurgens, who had sent him a congratulations text on his decision to return.
“Yeah, I’m sorry," Kelce said to Jurgens in a report by NBC Sports. "I’m coming back for another year."
To the apology, Jurgens laughed it off, believing that Kelce doesn't owe him anything — especially not an apology.
“I’m like, ‘Dude, you owe me nothing,’” Jurgens said. “He’s done so much for me already. I’m pumped he’s back. You can’t have a better locker room guy, a team leader than that.”
The rationale behind Kelce's apology is that in his return, he is taking Jurgens' would-be role at starting center in 2023. The Eagles drafted Jurgens in the second round to be Kelce’s eventual replacement. However, with Kelce returning for his 13th season, that plan is put on hold for at least one more season.
During this offseason, Jurgens is working and learning how to play next to Kelce. And that is a role Jurgens believes he can play extremely well.
“When we’re doing combo blocks, he knows what it’s supposed to be like and feel like,” Jurgens said. “Big thing is just he’s going to show me how he’s going to hit the block and how he expects the presence of a guard right next to him. A lot of times, we’ll go in a walkthrough, fit it up, and then we’ll go and do the rep. If it feels right, then we can move on. If it doesn’t feel good, we’re going to keep doing it until we get it right. I think that’s super helpful in that aspect.”
Throughout OTAs Jurgens has been lining up next to Kelce and Lane Johnson at right guard. It is a clear change in direction, but in that role, Jurgens is acting like a sponge — soaking up all the information he has available in a teammate like Kelce.
“I just try to be a sponge in that room,” Jurgens said. “And obviously you guys see everything that goes on during the field and what goes on during the game. But I think just the way he carries himself, how he talks to coaches, how he talks to young guys and old guys, it’s different because he’s been around, he’s a pro. He knows the game better than anybody.
“It’s cool getting to see his leadership aspect of that and if I can emulate that later on in my career and the sooner I can get to that point the better. Because he handles himself so well and people respect the hell out of him. Being able to see how he handles himself on and off the field, it’s pretty cool.”
So Kelce's return, though it came with an apology, is actually a good thing for Jurgens. It is giving him some extra time to learn before becoming the long-time starter in Kelce's spot.
Feature image via Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports.
