With the 2023 NFL season over, most players have gone on vacation or are just taking a break from the sport for a little bit before things heat back up. However, some are contemplating their future.
Included in those is Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce, whose future is very much in the balance whether he will retire or not. While many think he’s going to retire, he recently provided a new update on his 2024 status. What did he have to say?
Jason Kelce’s 2024 Status Update
Kelce, who turned 36 in November, has been considering retirement for years but has kept going and is still playing at an elite level. However, following the Eagles’ loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the Wild Card Round of the playoffs, rumors have been swirling about his retirement ever since.
“I don’t know. I’m trying to figure it out right now,” said Kelce on the Superfly Podcast when asked about retirement. “Right now, exploring different opportunities if I end up retiring. Still working out and staying in shape if I end up playing again.”
Kelce was drafted in the sixth round of the 2011 NFL Draft out of the University of Cincinnati. He’s spent his entire career with the Eagles, winning one Super Bowl and being named a six-time first-team All-Pro and seven-time Pro Bowler. He’s played and started all 193 games of his career.
While he’s a future Hall of Famer in his own right, his brother Travis Kelce is also considered one of the greatest tight ends in NFL history. The two started a podcast together in September 2022, launching the show called “New Heights with Jason and Travis Kelce.”
Kelce has spoken about retirement on his podcast but has not gone into much detail and has not confirmed he is retiring. It was initially reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter that Kelce told his teammates he was retiring after the Eagles’ 32-9 loss to the Buccaneers.
Despite the reports, though, Kelce has openly said he didn’t announce anything. “I didn’t announce what I was doing on purpose despite what’s been leaked to the media,” said Kelce after those reports came out.
“I just don’t think you’re in a position after a game like that to really make that decision — I really don’t — there’s just too much emotion in the moment, there’s too much going down in the moment to really fully grasp that decision,” said Kelce.
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Kelce’s current contract has him under contract through 2024 and features a plethora of void years. If he wants to come back, he’s under contract. It’s all up to Kelce at this point.
Kelce will likely have until early June before mandatory workouts begin for the 2024 season. Optional OTA offseason workouts will take place in May, but he doesn’t have to participate in those if he hasn’t yet decided on his future.
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