‘Weakest Link’ for Eagles Could Leap Into Starting Lineup Over First Round Pick

   

If we’re going off what’s on paper, you probably wouldn’t want Philadelphia Eagles offensive lineman Tyler Steen anywhere near your football team’s starting lineup.

Tyler Steen injury: Eagles guard dealing with ankle injury - Bleeding Green  Nation

In 2024, the 6-foot-6, 321-pound Alabama product ranked 131st out of 136 eligible players at his position, according to Pro Football Focus, which included an anemic 37.7 pass block grade and a 50.6 grade against the run.

Figure in that Steen also got called for 5 penalties while making just 2 starts and it seems like there might be some bigger issues at play … but in this case, numbers can be deceiving.

With Steen, it’s not telling the full story. Everything points to him finally claiming his place in the starting lineup in his third season.

The PFF grades might be a bit deceiving because, while he played in all 17 games, Steen only played in 27 percent of his team’s offensive snaps during the regular season. So it’s not really a full sample size to judge him on even if it made him eligible for the full season grades.

 

“(Steen) is potentially the weakest link on the NFL’s best offensive line,” USA Today’s Glenn Erby wrote on July 14. ” … The Eagles saw four free agents depart on offense, including right guard Mekhi Becton, who signed a two-year deal worth as much as $20 million with the Los Angeles Chargers. That opened the door for Steen to win the starting job for the first time since the Eagles drafted him in the third round in 2023.”


Steen On Track To Start Before Injury In 2024

Steen seemed on track to start in 2024 before an injury early in training camp saw former first round pick Mekhi Becton move from tackle to guard and thrive, helping lead the way for the ninth 2,000 yard rusher in NFL history in NFL Offensive Player of the Year Saquon Barkley.

Steen will have to beat out another former first round pick if he wants to start in 2025. The Eagles traded star safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson to the Houston Texans for offensive lineman Kenyon Green on March 11 with hopes he could be this year’s version of Becton.

Green, the No. 15 overall pick in the 2022 NFL draft, struggled mightily over his first 3 seasons with the Texans. He’s in a “prove it” year in 2025 and Eagles look at him like another reclamation project — they already declined his 2026 option — although he might not even see the field much if Steen continues to hold steady.

“It’s evident Steen is the front-runner to start at right guard for yet a second summer,” The Athletic’s Brooks Kubena wrote on June 11. “He was the first-team right guard throughout OTAs and in minicamp. Will Steen hold onto the job this time?”


Other 4 Spots For Eagles OL … Very Solid Indeed

It’s not exaggerating to say the other 4 starting spots on the Eagles offensive line are all among the very best in the NFL at their positions.

How good are they? All four of them — offensive tackles Lane Johnson and Jordan Mailata, guard Landon Dickerson and center Cam Jurgens — earned either NFL All-Pro or Pro Bowl honors in 2024.

Johnson, the most senior of the group at 35 years old, is a 2-time Super Bowl champion and will most likely end up in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.