Jason Kelceone of the NFL’s best offensive linemen on the field and one of the league’s most popular players off it, refuted reports that he has finalized a decision to retire. But in his comments on Wednesday, he did strongly hint at the possibility.
ESPN reported that following the Eagles‘ 32-9 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the wild-card round on Monday night, the longtime Philadelphia center told teammates he would retire. Kelce was emotional while exiting the field and shared a moment with his wife, Kylie, in the stands.
But Kelce said Wednesday on the “New Heights” podcast he co-hosts with his younger brother, superstar Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelcethat while he did address his teammates after the loss in Tampa Bay, he has not yet made any public announcement about his future.
“I didn’t announce what I was doing on purpose despite, I guess, what’s been leaked to the media,” Jason Kelce said. “I just don’t think you’re in a position after a game like that to really make that decision. I just don’t. There’s too much emotion in the moment to really fully grasp that decision.
“When it’s time to officially announce what’s happening in the future, it’ll be done in a way that’s definitive and pays respect to a lot of individuals that have meant a lot to me and has led to the career I’ve had.”
Kelce said his message to his Eagles teammates on Monday night was along those same lines.
“‘I got belief in every single one of you guys,'” Kelce recalled saying in that speech. “‘Cherish the moments you have in this league. … Don’t feel sorry for me.'”
Both Jason and Travis Kelce became emotional at that point in the podcast as Jason again broached the possibility that he has indeed played his last game in the NFL.
The 36-year-old Kelce has spent his entire 13-year career in Philadelphia after the Eagles selected him in the sixth round of the 2011 NFL Draft. He was a starter on the 2017 team that unexpectedly won the Super Bowl behind backup quarterback Nick Foles.
Kelce has started in every Eagles game over the past nine seasons, including all 12 playoff games. He is a six-time Pro Bowler and has earned first-team All-Pro honors in six of the past seven seasons. He is widely lauded not just for his blocking ability but for reading defenses and adjusting blocking schemes before snapping the ball.
Kelce, a longtime fan favorite in Philadelphia, has also gained broader fame in recent years for Christmas song albums he released alongside fellow Eagles offensive linemen Jordan Mailata and Lane Johnsonas well as for the hit podcast he hosts with Travis. Last year, Jason and Travis became the first pair of brothers to play against each other in a Super Bowl, which the Chiefs won 38-35 over the Eagles.
Jason Kelce flirted with retirement in 2022 but ultimately decided to return for another year after the Eagles’ Super Bowl loss.
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