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The Philadelphia Eagles are preparing for Sunday’s matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars in London, but offensive tackle Jordan Mailata is dealing with something far more personal than another football game.
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In a matter of 24 hours, Philadelphia’s offensive line lost two important members of its championship foundation. First came Lane Johnson’s unexpected retirement Tuesday. Then, on Wednesday, the Eagles traded Pro Bowl center Cam Jurgens to the Baltimore Ravens.
For Mailata, the second announcement brought an emotional moment that had nothing to do with football strategy, draft picks or salary cap considerations.
The veteran offensive tackle revealed that he and Jurgens shared a tearful goodbye after learning about the trade, offering a reminder of the personal relationships that can be disrupted by the business side of the NFL.
With Philadelphia preparing for its Week 5 game against Jacksonville, Mailata’s comments provided an unusually emotional look inside an Eagles locker room experiencing significant changes.
Jordan Mailata on Cam Jurgens being traded: “We shared a moment, Cam and I, where we cried.” pic.twitter.com/4MtQV3zVDh
— SPORTSRADIO 94WIP (@SportsRadioWIP) October 8, 2026
Jordan Mailata Reveals Emotional Goodbye With Cam Jurgens
According to NFL.com’s October 8 report, Mailata and several Eagles offensive linemen were preparing to eat lunch Wednesday when rookie tackle Markel Bell approached them with the news that Jurgens had been traded.
The announcement was difficult for Mailata to process, especially coming so soon after Johnson’s retirement.
“It doesn’t matter how we were told — we were told,” Mailata said. “It didn’t matter how we were told, it was going to hurt.”
Rather than simply exchanging goodbyes, Mailata sought out Jurgens for one final moment together as teammates.
The two embraced and cried while reflecting on their time in Philadelphia, including the championship they helped bring to the city.
“In a moment of embrace, you kind of forget about everything,” Mailata said. “You try to savor the last moment you have with one of your closest guys on the team before he gets shipped off.”
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It was a powerful reminder that NFL trades affect much more than the names appearing on a roster. Mailata and Jurgens had spent years working together, developing chemistry and helping protect quarterback Jalen Hurts.
Now, that partnership is over.
Eagles Face Major Changes Before Jaguars Matchup
Philadelphia agreed to send Jurgens to Baltimore in exchange for a fifth-round selection in the 2027 NFL Draft and a second-round pick in 2028. The Ravens also received a 2027 seventh-round selection.
Jurgens, a second-round selection in the 2022 NFL Draft, had developed into a key piece of Philadelphia’s offensive line after taking over for Jason Kelce at center.
His departure comes at a particularly difficult time for the Eagles.
Johnson’s retirement already created a significant opening at right tackle. Now Philadelphia must adjust at center while attempting to improve upon its 2-2 start.
The Eagles are expected to lean on younger offensive linemen, including Drew Kendall and Bell, as they reshape the unit.
For Mailata, who arrived in Philadelphia as an inexperienced former rugby player before developing into one of the NFL’s top offensive tackles, the situation also represents a change in responsibility.
He is no longer simply learning from established veterans. He is becoming one of the players responsible for guiding the next generation.
Eagles Week 5 Showdown
The Eagles will face the Jaguars on Sunday, October 11, at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London. Kickoff is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. ET.
Philadelphia needs a win after falling 24-20 to the Los Angeles Rams in Week 4, but the emotional challenges surrounding the organization are difficult to ignore.
Within two days, Mailata watched one longtime teammate retire and another leave through a trade.
For fans, those decisions represent changes to the depth chart and Philadelphia’s future. For Mailata, they meant saying goodbye to friends. And his emotional reaction offered a glimpse of the human side of professional football that rarely appears in the box score.
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Related: Jordan Mailata ‘Shocked’ by Lane Johnson’s Abrupt Retirement
Related: Jordan Mailata Urges Markel Bell Bell to Create His Own Legacy
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This story was originally published October 8, 2026 at 11:48 AM.