Tyler Steen has reason to smile as a beautiful Eagles plan continues to come into focus.
When the Philadelphia Eagles drafted Tyler Steen with the 65th overall selection during Round 3 of the 2023 NFL Draft, it felt like we had already figured things out. That’s because, well, we had already figured things out.
Jason Kelce returned for another season, so it would be at least another year until Cam Jurgens took over as his successor. Philly adjusted its plan. Jurgens had watched Kelce from the sideline as a rookie. In year two, he played alongside him as the starting right guard on the offensive line.
Steen was now the student. His job as a rookie was to sit and learn by watching Jurgens and listening to Jeff Stoutland. What does it take to play as a starter in the NFL?
In Week 9, he was forced into action, and he played well. The highlight of his day came during an offensive miscue. During a key moment in an important game, he jumped on a fumble resulting from a botched handoff between Jalen Hurts and D’Andre Swift.
That was his first start and a huge recovery that sometimes goes forgotten. Philadelphia won that game by a 28-23 final score. Hopefully, we won’t have to produce more of those as we move forward with his progression.
We had expected to see the results of Steen’s study in year two, but progress was delayed. The Eagles found someone they thought was more worthy of the starting right guard position.
Mekhi Becton won the job and started 15 of 17 regular-season games. Steen started the two games he didn’t, and in the offseason, Becton reaped the benefits of a great Eagles season by earning a small fortune. The Los Angeles Chargers awarded him a two-year, $20 million contract.
Year three has come. Steen entered the current campaign as the favorite to win the starting right guard position, and he has done that. That was further evidenced by a recent change in Philadelphia’s locker room.
As Eagles insider Dave Spadaro stated during a recent write-up for the official team website, it’s known that in the far right back corner of the locker room at the NovaCare Complex, the starting offensive line has its lockers lined up, left to right. Steen’s name now rests on that fourth stall, one given to the starting right guard. He’s nestled between Cam Jurgens and Lane Johnson. By the looks of that, it appears someone has arrived.
Philadelphia’s plan, although delayed, has taken shape, and under Coach Stoutland, this will again be the game’s best offensive line. There are two All-Pros (Jordan Mailata and Lane Johnson) and two Pro Bowlers (Cam Jurgens and Landon Dickerson). Steen may be overshadowed by some phenomenal teammates, but make no mistake. He is more than ready for this opportunity.