Chatter bugs Jason Kelce, Stefen Wisniewski giving Eagles rare combo

Share

Brandon Brooks joked that it actually gets on his nerves sometimes. 

During the middle of games, Jason Kelce and Stefen Wisniewski go second-level in their conversations. It's almost like having two centers geeking out at times. 

"After every play and between every play," Brooks said, "they're looking at each other and talking about the different coverages going on, like, 'If the safety's two feet over, he might do this.'"

The Eagles are in a unique position having two players starting next to each other with significant starting experience at center. The center, often one of the smartest players on the field, is responsible for partially diagnosing coverages and making line calls. 

The Eagles have two. 

With Wisniewski at left guard next to Kelce, sometimes he'll see something Kelce misses, so he passes along the information. They're in constant communication throughout every game. 

Lane Johnson said Wisniewski and Kelce are among the smartest football players he's ever been around. That combined knowledge means a lot to the Eagles. 

"He's played center, he's played guard, he's played all over the place," Kelce said of Wisniewski. "He's a very, very smart guy who understands the calls because he's the next guy in at center, so he has to know the calls. He's just as involved in the game plan, in terms of that, as I am."

Wisniewski said Kelce obviously has final say on all the calls, but is always willing to listen to his input. As a center himself, Wisniewski said the more information coming in, the better. 

"It's a lot of fun. I enjoy playing with Kelce," Wisniewski said. "He's a really smart guy. I've learned a lot from him. Hopefully, he's learned some things from me, too." 

Wisniewski didn't become the Eagles' starter at left guard until Week 4. Before that, the Eagles began the season with Isaac Seumalo and then even gave Chance Warmack the first chance to start after Seumalo was benched. Wisniewski was the third option this season. And that comes after he was behind Allen Barbre and Seumalo last year. 

Since arriving in Philly in 2016, Wisniewski hasn't been shy about his desire to become a starter again. The former second-round pick started 77 NFL games in Oakland and Jacksonville before joining the Eagles. 

On Friday, he admitted it was "tough" waiting for his turn this season. Since being inserted as the starter, he's clearly won the job. The line has been much better with him in there. 

"I think I'm playing well this year and I know I'm a starting-quality player," Wisniewski said. "I think I'm playing at a high level and showing that I deserve to be a starter."

Wisniewski signed a three-year deal this offseason to remain in Philly, which was a little bit of a surprise because of his desire to become a starter again. When he signed the deal, the team still had Barbre and Seumalo and the day before had brought in Warmack. 

At the time, Wisniewski seemed like the fourth option to get in at guard. But now he's the starter and it doesn't look like he'll give up the job anytime soon. 

"He's played a lot of games in this league," head coach Doug Pederson said. "For him and Isaac earlier in the year and Chance a little bit, and now Stefen has kind of settled into that spot. He's playing well, and it just solidifies your offensive line."

Contact Us