As Tanner McKee and the Eagles' reserves were leading one more charge for a Week 18 win over the Giants and a franchise-best 14-3 record, the starters stood and watched cheering from the Lincoln Financial Field sidelines while also awaiting their opponent for the Wild Card round of the NFL playoffs in a week's time.

Jordan Mailata knew what Cam Jurgens was going through more than most players inside the Eagles locker room. It was only a few years ago when people wondered: How could the Eagles replace left tackle Jason Peters with a rugby player from Australia who never played college football?

The Eagles had a contingency plan in place when two of their franchise pillars, Kelce and Fletcher Cox, retired in the offseason. They spent a 2022 second-round pick on Jurgens. Then, in 2023, they drafted Jalen Carter No. 9 overall. Both Jurgens and Carter were named starters in the Pro Bowl in their first seasons in their new full-time roles.

In his first season starting at center for the Philadelphia Eagles' offensive line, former Husker Cam Jurgens earned his first Pro Bowl accolade.

The former Beatrice tight end moved to center at Nebraska when Scott Frost suggested it — now Cam Jurgens is a NFL Pro Bowler.