Philadelphia Eagles: Could Nate Herbig steal Isaac Seumalo’s job in 2021?
Alright, alright, I’ve got to admit: I was wrong about Nate Herbig.
When the Philadelphia Eagles opted to play the 22-year-old UDFA out of Stanford at right guard over Matt Pryor, I thought it was a mistake. Pryor had more experience, more pedigree, and put some pretty good play on tape during the 2019 NFL season.
Herbig, by contrast, was most famous for being visibly out of breath during his first preseason game as the Eagles’ third-string center and had recorded all of 12 snaps during his rookie season – three on offense and nine on special teams.
Boy was I – and, to be fair, a lot of other outside observers – wrong.
Appearing in 15 games with 12 starts, Herbig finished out his sophomore season as the 11th ranked guard in the NFL and was tied for the fourth-highest rated player on the Eagles’ offense alongside Lane Johnson and Travis Fulgham, as per our friends over at PFF.
Nate Herbig? On par with arguably the best right tackle in the NFL? What?
Well, statistically speaking, Herbig was just as impactful. He helped to open up holes in the run game, remained stout with active feet versus interior rushers, and only allowed two sacks with four penalties in 894 total offensive snaps.
While he lacks the speed, strength, and otherwise otherworldly athleticism of Brandon Brooks, Herbig has certainly earned a longer look from whomever the Eagles opt to hire as their next head coach, but where will he play? Assuming Brooks returns healthy and Jason Kelce doesn’t retire – which feels 50/50 at this point – it’s virtually impossible to imagine the ex-Stanford Cardinal beating out ether player for a spot in (TBD head coach)’s starting lineup. But left guard? Now that, my friends, may be a bit more in play.
Nate Herbig and Isaac Seumalo could be the Philadelphia Eagles’ big camp battle.
More from Section 215
- 4 Eagles on the Bubble Who Have Clinched Their 53-Man Roster Spots
- Best Pennsylvania Sportsbook Promos: Win $650 GUARANTEED Bonus PLUS $100 off NFL Sunday Ticket
- 3 Punters the Eagles Must Target to Replace Arryn Siposs
- Cowboys Trey Lance Trade Proves How Screwed They Are With Dak Prescott
- Devon Allen Took Britain Covey’s Job on Eagles
After turning in the best professional season of his still-young NFL career in 2019, Isaac Seumalo‘s 2020 campaign was undoubtedly a step in the wrong direction, even if it wasn’t solely his fault.
Despite being named the starter at left guard without so much as a question entering the regular season, the Eagles had to go in a different direction 25 offensive snaps into their Week 2 game against the Los Angeles Rams, as the then-26-year-old suffered a knee injury that landed him on IR.
Though Seumalo eventually returned in time to play versus Cleveland in Week 10, he never quite recaptured his 2019 form – giving up four sacks in 588 snaps while failing to be as impactful in the run game as in previous seasons.
While it still feels like the Eagles plan to eventually kick Seumalo inside to center when Kelce’s playing days are done – that is why Howie Roseman drafted him in 2016 and gave him an extension in the spring of 2019 after all – that long-term plan can’t get in the way of short-term success. If Herbing can lean up – maybe start doing some jiujitsu to get ripped a la Brooks – there’s little reason to believe he shouldn’t at least be afforded an opportunity to compete for a starting role.
Who knows, depending on the scheme the Eagles’ next coach likes to run, Herbig may even be considered a favorite to start over Seumalo if power is prioritized over foot quickness – though, based on the personnel, I doubt the front office would hire such a coach.
Next. 7 players who will benefit from a new head coach. dark
When a 22-year-old midway through their rookie contract has a breakout season, they are usually rewarded with a starting role when they return to training camp the following season. While the Philadelphia Eagles’ offensive line should still be considered one of their biggest strengths – especially if Brandon Brooks and Jason Kelce return – that doesn’t mean Nate Herbig should be relegated back to a reserve role because a player in front of him is making more money. If anything, Seumalo’s contract status should make Herbig’s emergence all the more vital because honestly, isn’t that sort of what every team wants – a bunch of 22-year-olds who can play at a high level?