Eagles roster outlook: Center
The Philadelphia Eagles’ Super Bowl season is over and the 2025 NFL offseason is officially here. We’re continuing our Eagles roster outlook series by examining the center position. PREVIOUSLY: Quarterback | Running back | Tight end | Wide receiver | Offensive tackle | Offensive guard.
THE PLAYERS
CAM JURGENS
STATS: 1068 snaps, 16 starts, 16th out of 43 centers graded by PFF, 6 sacks allowed, 2 hits allowed, 27 hurries allowed, 6 penalties
PLAYOFF STATS: 217 snaps, 3 starts, 9th out of 14 centers graded by PFF, 2 sacks allowed, 1 hit allowed, 7 hurries, 0 penalties
REVIEW: Entering 2024, there was question how Jurgens would fare as Jason Kelce’s replacement. As it turns out, there didn’t appear to be a massive drop-off. Jurgens made the Pro Bowl in his first season as the Eagles’ starting center. There were times when he even looked like Kelce blocking out in space. At the same time, it’s worth noting there were some issues in pass protection; six sacks allowed tied for a league-high and only one center allowed more total pressures. Jurgens was ultimately a net positive contributor to the very best offensive line in the NFL. And he deserves credit for toughing out a back injury in the playoffs. His ability to come in and finish out the NFC Championship Game after Landon Dickerson got hurt was vital. Jurgens reportedly underwent back surgery last week and a full recovery is expected by July.
OUTLOOK: 2025 marks the final year of Jurgens’ rookie deal. He is now eligible for a contract extension and the Eagles will likely sign him to one this offseason. Looking at the top paid centers on an annual basis, the guess here is that Jurgens will get somewhere between $9 million and $11 million per year. Tyler Biadasz, also a one-time Pro Bowler, signed a free agent contract worth $10 million per year last offseason. One would envision Jurgens gets more than Las Vegas Raiders starter Andre James, who is making $8 million annually. He’s also probably below two-time Pro Bowler Erik McCoy at $12 million annually.
MY TAKE: Stay.
BRETT TOTH
STATS: 0 snaps
PLAYOFF STATS: 12 snaps
REVIEW: Toth was surprisingly getting some first-team looks in training camp when starters were missing reps. This led some (myself included) to believe the Eagles might keep him on their 53-man roster. They did not, however, and instead signed him to their practice squad. Toth remained on the PS until Jack Driscoll suffered a season-ending injury in practice leading up to the Eagles’ Wild Card game. The Eagles signed Toth to their roster and he was kept active as an eighth offensive linemen (leapfrogging Nick Gates, Darian Kinnard, and Trevor Keegan on the depth chart) for all of their playoff games. He saw some garbage time snaps at center in the Eagles’ blowout postseason wins over the Washington Commanders and Kansas City Chiefs.
OUTLOOK: Toth is signed through 2025. With Jeff Stoutland seemingly liking him and the Eagles having no real center depth to speak of, he’ll get a chance to compete for a roster spot again this offseason. Toth’s theoretical versatility to play every offensive line position could help his chances of sticking around in some capacity.
MY TAKE: Stay.
NICK GATES
STATS: 96 snaps, 1 start, 56th out of 65 centers graded by PFF, 0 sacks allowed, 0 hits allowed, 0 hurries allowed, 1 penalty
REVIEW: The Eagles originally signed Gates in late July to add to their interior offensive line depth. He failed to make the original 53-man roster but the Eagles signed him to their practice squad and temporarily elevated him multiple times to have more center depth. Gates saw some garbage time snaps over the course of the season when he wasn’t a healthy scratch. The Eagles placed Gates on injured reserve the night before Super Bowl LIX to open up a roster spot to activate Brandon Graham from IR. Gates notably went shirtless during the team’s Super Bowl parade. The Eagles released Gates on February 18, despite the fact he was going to be a free agent in March. Seems like the team allowed him to get a head start on finding a new NFL home.
NFL FREE AGENCY OR TRADES
If the Eagles add a veteran center, it’ll be someone on the veteran minimum.
NFL DRAFT APPROACH
The Eagles drafted a developmental center last year in Dylan McMahon. But then the Los Angeles Rams signed him away from Philly’s practice squad in September. The Eagles could look to add another Day 3 offensive lineman who has center experience.
