While Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce is expected to hang up his cleats after a 13-year NFL career, the veteran offensive lineman hasn’t officially announced his retirement. But Kelce discussed his current thinking on Wednesday’s edition of his New Heights podcast.
Jason Kelce Addresses Potential Retirement
After the Eagles lost to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Monday night’s Wild Card game, multiple reports indicated that Kelce told the rest of Philadelphia’s roster that he planned to end his NFL career.
However, Kelce said Wednesday that he did not tell the Eagles he was retiring. However, he did address the club and seemed to suggest that he was ready to call it a career.
“(Head coach) Nick (Sirianni) kinda gave me an opportunity to talk,” Kelce said. “I didn’t announce what I was doing on purpose, despite what’s been leaked to the media.
“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. I’m not trying to be dramatic and continue to draw this thing out, I’m really not.
“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.”
When the time is right, you'll hear from the man himself
New episode premieres NOW: https://t.co/lxUrkMbzk6 pic.twitter.com/fdxfOPETlU
— New Heights (@newheightshow) January 17, 2024
Kelce, 36, earned six first-team All-Pro berths and seven Pro Bowl nods over the course of his career, becoming the best center of his generation and a surefire future Hall of Famer.
A sixth-round pick from the University of Cincinnati, Kelce took over starting duties in Year 1 and never looked back.
“I don’t think that it would be respectful or even accurate to (announce my retirement) right after a game like that,” Kelce said.
“But I did address the team and pretty much just said the same thing that I just said to you, which is ‘I got belief in every single one of you guys. Cherish the moments you have in this league.'”
“A lot of guys like, ‘If that is your last game, I feel sorry for you.’ And I’m like, ‘Don’t feel sorry for me, m—–f—–.'”
Kelce became noticeably choked up after discussing his Monday night message to the Eagles. While he hasn’t formally announced his retirement, Kelce is clearly trending in that direction, even if he’s not ready to make a declaration just yet.
MORE: How Nick Sirianni Can Fix the Philadelphia Eagles in 2024
If Kelce does retire, he’s expected to be replaced at center by 2022 second-round pick Cam Jurgens. Kelce helped scout, identify, and develop Jurgens, who boasts a similar body type to Kelce but played right guard this past season.
Want to predict the results of the 2023 NFL postseason with our FREE NFL Playoff Predictor? How about looking into in-depth breakdowns of team depth charts or the NFL playoff schedule? Pro Football Network has you covered with all that and more!
