Fixing the OL

Posted February 13th, 2026

The focus of the offseason so far has been the Eagles offense. That started with putting together a new offensive coaching staff. There has also been a lot of discussion about AJ Brown and his future. Handling that situation correctly will be crucial if the offense wants to get back to being a top unit. Just as important will be fixing the offensive line.

The OL struggled in 2025, mostly due to injuries. Landon Dickerson started 15 games, but anyone who watched his play closely could see he wasn’t healthy in any sense of the word. At his best, Dickerson is one of the most powerful guards in the league and able to regularly get movement in the run game. He’s also good in pass protection. The Eagles didn’t have that guy at LG last year. He struggled all season long.

Making matters worse, center Cam Jurgens also had a down year. He started 14 games, but didn’t play to the level he did in 2024. It was harder to tell with Jurgens how much of a factor injuries were. Because he was so good the previous season, I’m guessing injuries were the key issue for him as well. Jurgens wins with athleticism. If he lost any of that athleticism, he’s not going to be a consistently effective player.

Jurgens will now have a long offseason to rest and get healthy for 2026. The situation is more complicated with Dickerson.

Jeff McLane reported that Dickerson is considering retiring. That may seem crazy for a guy who is only 27, but he’s had a lot of injuries over the course of his football career. I wasn’t a huge fan of the Eagles taking him when they did because of his college injury history. Thankfully he’s been able to stay on the field in the NFL. But his body has taken a lot of wear and tear. I could certainly understand if he felt walking away was the best thing for him.

Lane Johnson was only able to start 10 games last year. The good news is that it sounds like he’ll be returning for 2026. He is still one of the best players in the league when he’s healthy. Getting Johnson back would give the OL a big boost.

LT – Jordan Mailata
LG – ?
C – Cam Jurgens
RG – Tyler Steen
RT – Lane Johnson

In an ideal world, Dickerson, Jurgens and Johnson would all be healthy and play to their normal standard. The OL would instantly jump back to being one of the best in the league.

Howie Roseman knows he can’t count on that. He’s got to have better depth and competition on the OL so the team is prepared in case things don’t go well. This will need to be a combination of drafting players, signing free agents and also developing young players already on the roster.

Howie didn’t spent a first or second round pick on an O-linemen over the past three drafts. Steen was pick 65, a third rounder. Before that you have to go back to Dickerson and Jurgens, both second round picks. Howie doesn’t have to force anything, but he will need to be aggressive about finding a good young OL to add to the mix. That could be an OT or an OG.

If the Chargers cut Mekhi Becton loose, he would be an interesting free agent target. He played well for the Eagles in 2024 before having an up and down season in Los Angeles. The Eagles aren’t likely to spend big money here. They already have a lot of money tied up in the offense and could be looking for young/cheap help. That usually means draft, but could also be a free agent who has mainly been a backup or is seen as an ascending player.

The Eagles did draft three linemen last April. I thought center Drew Kendall looked good over the summer. With a full offseason, hopefully Kendall will make the team comfortable with him and he can be the backup center and also add depth at guard. Myles Hinton is the guy Jeff Stoutland really loved. Hinton was up and down last summer. He did flash legit ability.

There is definitely something to work with, but I do wonder what his ceiling is. I see a player who could develop into a Fred Johnson type of depth piece more than a future starter. This offseason will be critical for Hinton. He’ll be part of a new system and there will be more pressure on him. He’s no longer a rookie.

OT Cameron Williams was also a 6th round pick. The Eagles knew he was a project. Williams came out too early and fell in the draft. He’s got outstanding size and good talent. He just needs experience. Size and strength are only part of the equation with NFL OL play. Technique, knowledge and skill are essential to becoming a good blocker. The Eagles played Williams in the regular season finale. He didn’t play well, but that experience can help him to prepare for this season. There is a huge difference in the preseason and the regular season.

There is another interesting player to watch. The Eagles claimed Willie Lampkin during roster cutdowns last year. He is small at 5-11, 290. Lampkin played OG in college and was very good. He went to the Senior Bowl and played mostly center. He was outstanding. He played guard and center for the Rams last summer and really flashed. I was shocked they cut him. I think they were hoping he wouldn’t get claimed. He did have a knee injury that kept him off the field last year. I’d love to know what the Eagles think of him. Do they prefer him at guard or center? Do they think he can start in the NFL?

Some people have asked about Hollin Pierce, the massive blocker from Rutgers. He didn’t impress me last summer so this offseason is huge for him. He has to show that he can compete at the NFL level. He won’t be as good of a fit for the new offense, but the team may like his size so much that they keep him around just to see what he can do.

The cupboard isn’t bare by any stretch, but Howie will need to find more talent to add to the mix. There are a couple of X-factors. The team will be running a new offense and there will be a new OL coach in Chris Kuper. I don’t think that will affect the starters. Those guys are talented, veteran blockers. Backup players could be under more scrutiny. The less talent a player has, the more important it is that he’s a strong scheme fit.

If Howie can make the right changes and the guys stay healthy, the OL could get right back to the level that everyone is used to. That would make life a lot easier for Sean Mannion and his new offense. It doesn’t matter what system you run if you don’t win the line of scrimmage.

https://igglesblitz.com/2026/02/fixing-the-ol/

The Dickerson factor is definitely one to watch. Is he going to get back to full health? If he does will that be by week one (if he has offseason surgery)? And will he even return? If he doesn’t that’s a huge loss and a gaping hole at LG.

Can Jurgens get back to full health? Hopefully he can and certainly his situation doesn’t seem to be as bad as with Dickerson.

We are going to need to bring in some new faces along the OL this season. And we are going to have to do so without Stoutland there to help develop them. That’s a pretty terrifying thought and to be honest not one we’ve had to think about for a long long time now.

Howie probably won't do it, but I'm on board with spending 2 of our first 3 picks on OL in the draft. Hoping for Monroe Freeling in Round 1, then find a G or C (or ideally G/C versatile player) in Round 2. First 3 picks in the draft will hopefully be OT, OC/G, TE. We can reverse the order picks 2 and 3...but the point is addressing those positions with our highest picks.

I read somewhere that Becton doesn't fit our new offense. Will be interesting to see if the line has success in the future without Stout

I saw that 'Becton flourished under Stout', but pretty much stunk (injuries never help) at his other two NFL stops.

Ughhhhh, another hole to fill on this team.