2023 third-round pick Tyler Steen was expected to face 2022 second-round pick Cam Jurgens for the starting right guard position in the Eagles’ inaugural NFL training camp. However, Steen, a collegiate tackle, struggled to adjust to the inside and was rapidly outplayed by Jurgens.
In the end, Steen played in just 71 offensive snaps in the previous season, nearly all of which were in a Week 9 victory over the Cowboys, which was his one and only start. Except for that match, in which Jurgens and Sua Opeta were hurt, Opeta was usually called upon by Philadelphia when it required a backup guard.
Though it was originally planned when Jurgens was drafted, a recent ESPN story indicates that the Eagles let Opeta to leave in free agency this offseason. Jurgens will now play center in lieu of retired franchise star Jason Kelce. This implies that Steen is the clear front-runner for the RG position, which is once again up for grabs, according to the same ESPN article.
Pro Football Focus gave Steen a dismal overall grade of 53.2 and an absurdly low pass-blocking mark of 21.9 in his admittedly limited sample size of work in 2023 (PFF also charged him with six pressures allowed). However, he performed admirably in the run game, and according to Jimmy Kempski of PhillyVoice.com, Steen—whose difficulties stopping Dallas standout Micah Parsons are somewhat understandable—showed enough promise to secure the top spot in the right guard competition.
The Eagles signed free agent Matt Hennessy to a one-year contract in March, and he may be his main rival for the position. Hennessy had a knee injury that kept him out of the 2023 season, and in 2022 he played just 175 snaps with the Falcons as a left guard. He did, however, perform admirably during his LG cameo, and in 2021, he was Atlanta’s starting pivot and a very successful run blocker. He will offer valuable depth at center and at the guard spots, if nothing else.
Trevor Keegan and Dylan McMahon, rookies on Day 3, may possibly challenge Steen for playing time at right guard.
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