Longtime Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce has rumors surrounding his future. Will he appear with his shirt on or off? Will he be at Kansas City Chiefs games supporting his brother Travis Kelce or not? But the biggest question that he needs to answer, is if he will be retiring at the end of the season.
With conflicting reports, Jason Kelce spoke again after the AFC Championship Game when he took to the field to celebrate his brother making another Super Bowl.
What Is the Latest on Jason Kelce’s Potential Retirement?
The decision of whether to retire or not is weighing heavily on Kelce’s shoulders right now. While he’s taking the offseason to enjoy himself, Jason’s future is evidently on his mind. After playing 13 seasons in the NFL, there isn’t much left for Jason to accomplish.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported on Jan. 16 that Kelce told teammates after the Eagles lost to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the Wild Card round that he was retiring. The facts were then disputed by Jason on an episode of the New Heights podcast.
He addressed the speculation by saying, “I didn’t announce what I was doing on purpose, despite what’s been leaked to the media. It’s just something that I think 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 people and individuals that have meant a lot to me and has led to the career I’ve had.”
Further comments from Kelce emerged on Jan. 28, when he was at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore to watch Travis reach another Super Bowl, where Jason spoke to the Philadelphia Inquirer about his future.
Whatever decision Jason Kelce finally makes, there should be no doubt that he wants to carry on. He loves the game and wants to continue to be an Eagle, but he’ll only carry on if he thinks he’s still able to help the team.
“I really, really look forward to next year. I look forward to trying to prove people wrong, especially with some of the recent hires and Nick Sirianni,” Kelce said. “There’s a lot of things up in the air for the Philadelphia Eagles. But I think that, as a player, you always look forward to going into battle with your guys.”
Kelce is still invested. He isn’t talking like a player who has already made his mind up. He’s aware of the possibilities and is taking the time he needs to spend with his family and make a decision.
Heading on the field after the AFC Championship Game, Jason was clearly very emotional. He was there supporting his brother but making the Super Bowl doesn’t happen often, and he was well aware of what it meant to the Chiefs’ player. Secretly, he missed that feeling.
“It feels so great being here on this field right now for your teammates and for the guys that are going to get an opportunity to compete for a Super Bowl,” Kelce said. “These are emotions. And these are situations that you don’t get unless you continue to go.”
What is next for Kelce has been subject to much speculation, but as he says, no official decision has been made. “I don’t know what’s going to happen to me,” Jason said, confirming he hasn’t yet made a decision.
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Whatever the outcome is, the Eagles can be reassured that he still wants to be around the team. “I do know, that I still want to be involved in the organization and still want to be a part of it, regardless of what the decision is.
“Because I don’t want to ever feel like I’m on the outside looking in on these achievements, and these accolades, and these opportunities that largely represent entire cities, and fan bases and organizations. It’s too good a feeling to pass up.”
While Jason would much rather be playing in Las Vegas on Feb. 11, he’s still looking forward to heading to Sin City to cheer on the Chiefs.
I’m looking forward to watching [Travis],” Jason said. “I’m looking forward to heading out to Vegas and cheering my brother on. Hopefully him and Pat [Mahomes] and Andy [Reid] and those guys can get the third one.”
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