EXCLUSIVE: Philadelphia Eagles superstar Jordan Mailata has spoken on fan favorite Willie Lampkin being set for his first chance to start in the league, coming after Cam Jurgens was traded and Lane Johnson retired
Jordan Mailata speaks on fan favorite Willie Lampkin being set to make his Eagles debut
Jordan Mailata speaks on fan favorite Willie Lampkin being set to make his Eagles debut(Image: Getty)
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Philadelphia Eagles fan favorite Willie Lampkin is set to make his first start in the NFL this weekend after the team was forced into making two big changes to their offensive line.
The Eagles agreed to trade away Cam Jurgens to the Baltimore Ravens after Lane Johnson surprisingly announced his retirement. While they are both big losses for Jalen Hurts and his offensive line, it's an opportunity for other guys to step up.
Hurts has spoken highly of Jake Majors, who is set to start at center. With Lampkin coming in at guard, superstar left tackle Jordan Mailata is ecstatic to see him line up next to him.
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A player who had been many draft analysts' favorites, Lampkin is one of the shortest offensive linemen in NFL history.
He stands at 5-foot-11, while being the heaviest lineman in NFL history to stand under six-feet.
His stature was cited as a major reason he went undrafted in the 2025 class, with the Eagles eventually picking him up.
After impressing in preseason, fans are excited to see him get his chance, with Mailata revealing how much he deserves the opportunity and his message to him.
Jordan Mailata is ecstatic to see line up next to Will Lampkin.
Jordan Mailata is ecstatic to see line up next to Will Lampkin.(Image: Mirror Sport U.S.)
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Speaking exclusively to Mirror U.S. Sports, Mailata was not able to hold back his smile when asked about Lampkin.
He said, "Dude, I'm so confident. I'm so excited for Willie to get his chance, man. I think Willie's one of those guys that's been chomping at the bit to get a chance to start on Sundays.
"I'm so excited for Willie to come in because, like me, has played or does play with the chip on his shoulder because of how much doubt as a small offensive lineman or smaller offensive lineman, how much shade he gets for being that way.
"I find it easy to be able to connect with Willie because just through that, the doubt and the whole week, my message has been use it. Just use the doubt. Use that chip on the shoulder. You can see the fire igniting in him every time I say, "I got you, I got you, I got you." There's a temporary that we have to do during the week because he's going to be one.
Lampkin is one of the shortest offensive linemen in NFL history
Lampkin is one of the shortest offensive linemen in NFL history.(Image: CBS News)
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"I guess the message I gave to him this week was, hey, I need you to think like this. No matter good, bad, ugly, great, whatever the play looks like, you need to be able to move on. Because I think if there's one thing that's one thing that young guys struggle with, they try to be perfect.
"This game isn't perfect and nobody's perfect in this game. If you can find me somebody who's been perfect in this game, well, he must be the greatest player of all time."
Lampkin is set to start at left guard, directly next to Mailata, with the two needing to be in constant communication as they face an impressive Jacksonville Jaguars team in London on Sunday.