The retirement of perennial All-Pro center Jason Kelce leaves a gaping hole in the middle of a Philadelphia Eagles offensive line considered one of the best in the NFL.
In reality, there’s no way to replace a special player like Kelce, a future Hall of Famer and one of the greatest to ever play his position. With apologies to whoever is tasked with replacing Kelce, they will ultimately pale in comparison.
Nevertheless, the Philadelphia Eagles need to find the best option to ensure their offensive line can continue playing at the highest level in the post-Kelce era.
With that in mind, here are four possible replacements for Jason Kelce, starting with two players already on their roster.
Related: 4 offseason moves the Philadelphia Eagles need to make, including Nick Sirianni and free agency
Move Cam Jurgens from RG to C
The Philadelphia Eagles could just look to Kelce’s immediate right and find their solution.
Jurgens, the Eagles’ right guard, started 31 games in three seasons at center for Nebraska and was named a third-team all-Big Ten selection before the Eagles selected him as a center in the second round at No. 51 in 2022.
While he has started 11 games at right guard for the Eagles, Jurgens could move over one spot and take over the center position, while backup Tyler Steen, a third-round pick in 2023, then could then fill Jurgens’ void at right guard. This would appear to be the most convenient option.
Move Landon Dickerson from LG to C
Like Jurgens, Dickerson, a Pro Bowl selection at left guard the past two seasons, is another former college center. In fact, while at Alabama, he won the Rimington Award as the nation’s best center in 2020.
Since being drafted in the second round in 2021, Dickerson has held down the left guard job and, in concert with Kelce, has helped give the Eagles one of the strongest interior lines in the NFL.
Moving Dickerson might not be the most desirable move for the Philadelphia Eagles because it would remove Dickerson from a position where he’s already playing at a high level.
Draft Graham Barton
Now that they are eliminated from the NFL playoffs, the Philadelphia Eagles are now locked in at the No. 22 spot in the first round. They also own the New Orleans Saints’ second-round pick, No. 50, in addition to their own at No. 54.
Based on draft projections, the Philadelphia Eagles could target the top-rated center, which by most accounts is Barton, a three-year starter at left tackle who’s expected to move inside to center due to his length. In fact, Barton, who’s considered a tenacious run blocker, has been invited to the Senior Bowl, where he will play center.
Barton is a projected top 50 pick who could go as early as late in the first round. So, drafting him with the first-round pick could be considered a reach, unless the Eagles place a high value on him.
Related: 2024 NFL Draft order: Where do the Philadelphia Eagles pick?
Sign FA center Connor Williams
If the Philadelphia Eagles are dissatisfied with their internal options, or feel like they can’t get a worthy replacement in the draft, they could opt for a top-flight free agent.
Williams, who has flourished over the past two seasons in Miami, is expected to be the most highly regarded free agent center on the market – except for the fact he suffered a torn ACL in Week 14.
Depending on how much the Eagles want Williams to replace Kelce, they could sign him at a reduced price compared to other free agent center and get by with other options at center until Williams recovers fully.
Related: Top NFL free agents