Tyler Steen, a guard for the Philadelphia Eagles, and offensive-line coach Jeff Stoutland exchange handshakes following an NFL game against the Dallas Cowboys on November 5, 2023, at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia.
When the Philadelphia Eagles convene for training camp next month ahead of the 2024 season, it appears that Tyler Steen has a firm hold on the right-guard position.
Selected in the third round from Alabama in 2023, Steen saw action in 71 offensive snaps during his rookie year, with 62 of those occurring in his lone start.
However, throughout Philadelphia’s offseason program, Steen trained with the first-string offense, and Eagles offensive-line coach Jeff Stoutland acknowledged his progress.
Stoutland commented, “I’ve noticed clear enhancements in his strength, power, and agility, along with improved ability to maintain a low center of gravity. Last season, I felt he tended to play upright, but he’s clearly dedicated a lot of time in our weight room, and it shows.”
Steen, who played left tackle at Alabama, made his sole rookie start at right guard in a 28-23 victory against the Dallas Cowboys on November 5.
The right guard position opened up for the 2024 season following center Jason Kelce’s retirement after 13 seasons with Philadelphia.
During the 2023 season, Cam Jurgens started at right guard in 11 games and is currently the leading candidate to replace Kelce.
“Cam Jurgens was brought here two years ago with the idea that when Kelce eventually retired, we would have a top-tier center, in our opinion,” Stoutland explained.
During the six games Jurgens missed due to injury last season, Sua Opeta started five times. On November 5, neither Jurgens nor Opeta could play, so Steen played the entire game at right guard against the Cowboys.
Opeta departed the Eagles in free agency this offseason to join the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Brandon Brooks, who earned Pro Bowl honors as the Eagles’ right guard in the final three complete seasons of his NFL career, retired after injuries limited his appearances in 2020 and 2021.Stoutland regards Brooks as the standardfor the position and mentioned that Steen exhibits some of Brooks’ characteristics.
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The Eagles have several other options for the right guard position, including Mekhi Becton, Matt Hennessy, and Max Scharping.
Becton, selected 11th overall in the 2020 NFL Draft, started all 16 games at tackle for the New York Jets in 2023. Hennessy did not play in the 2023 season but served as the starting center for the Atlanta Falcons in 2021. Scharping has been a backup for the Cincinnati Bengals over the past two seasons, having previously started at both left and right guard for the Houston Texans.
The Eagles begin training camp on July 23 after their summer break.
Stoutland expressed his preference for quickly establishing the starting unit.
“Doesn’t it just make sense?” Stoutland remarked. “To have the five — I refer to them as the five-wheel drive — together as much as possible, getting numerous reps to synchronize everything. It becomes challenging when you’re rotating players in and out, trying to capture that special cohesion. So, I make a concerted effort to keep them together unless there’s a compelling reason to do otherwise, to ensure we’re on the right track.”
Philadelphia begins its three-game preseason schedule against the Baltimore Ravens on Aug. 9 and kicks off the regular season on Sept. 6 against the
Green Bay Packers in
Stoutland expressed his preference for quickly establishing the starting unit.
“Doesn’t it just make sense?” Stoutland remarked. “To have the five — I refer to them as the five-wheel drive — together as much as possible, getting numerous reps to synchronize everything. It becomes challenging when you’re rotating players in and out, trying to capture that special cohesion. So, I make a concerted effort to keep them together unless there’s a compelling reason to do otherwise, to ensure we’re on the right track.”
Philadelphia begins its three-game preseason schedule against the Baltimore Ravens on Aug. 9 and kicks off the regular season on Sept. 6 against the Green Bay Packers inc Brazil.
