Cam Jurgens got paid this week, a four-year, $68 million extension that includes $39 million guaranteed. He told reporters at his press conference that one of the things he wanted to do with his new money was get TSA PreCheck, which costs about $80. He certainly could have afforded it on his rookie deal, or if he worked a useless, non-essential job like sports blogging.

But it got me thinking, because this is the umpteenth time that a member of the Eagles offensive line has shown us that they are a normal, relatable person. They think about the same things we do, like waiting in line at the airport and mowing their lawn. You could formulate a not-even-hot take that the O line is the most likeable group in Philly sports, certainly over the last 10 years or so.

Examples:

  • Landon Dickerson: Becomes the NFL’s highest-paid guard, goes out and buys a riding mower, throws a slip-and-slide party with friends. Granted, the mower was $15,000, but lawncare was the top thing on his mind.
  • Cam Jurgens: Talks about TSA PreCheck at his post-extension press conference.
  • Jason Kelce: Living legend, fan favorite, slams beers at Sea Isle City, enjoys immense post-playing success, gets a late night talk show and ESPN commentary gig.
  • Lane Johnson and Brandon Brooks: Opened up to fans and media about their mental health struggles, just generally decent dudes who make themselves available.
  • Jordan Mailata: Inaugural winner of the Media Appreciation Award, presented by the Eagles beat writers. Plays guitar, sings karaoke, shows up at random bars around town.
  • Mekhi Becton: Wonderful second chance/prove-it story, talked about how much he enjoyed this past season and playing for the Birds, showed a lot of emotion during the playoff run.

The backups seem(ed) like solid and friendly dudes as well. Fred Johnson, Tyler Steen, etc. Depends how far you want to go back with this exercise. Jason Peters is a franchise legend despite the wonkiness of his later years. Stefen Wisniewski and Big V seemed like quality guys, Isaac Seumalo too. Hell, the entire line posed naked for a magazine not that long ago and released multiple Christmas albums. And then you think about Jeff Stoutland himself, who is one of the most respected position coaches in all of football. He has his own university and gives us great faces in press conferences:

Truthfully, you could say that a lot of the Eagles Super Bowl team had the same traits as the O line. There was a noticeable lack of diva behavior, complaining, and drama. No arrests, nada. Lane Johnson had the PED suspensions early in his career, but nothing else I can recall involving the line. These guys aren’t running around with Kardashians, driving fancy cars and getting 17 different women pregnant, right? CJGJ told Swifties to lick his balls, and we had the one week of media-driven A.J. Brown nonsense, but those were outliers.


Plus, Jalen Hurts is as lowkey as it gets. The guy just wants to play football and listen to Anita Baker. Same with the relatively quiet and workmanlike DeVonta Smith and Saquon Barkley and Dallas Goedert. Then you throw Brandon Graham in there with his big personality. The entire team is likeable and relatable and it’s centered on the offensive line and the everyday things they enjoy and prioritize.

(This take is still a work in progress but I think we’re getting there)