Following the Philadelphia Eagles‘ Super Bowl loss earlier this year, many speculated that C Jason Kelce may hang up his cleats and retire. Kelce and his family weighed the pros and cons and eventually decided he would continue his playing career.
Kelce and Eagles’ General Manager Howie Roseman celebrated his one-year contract by drinking beers, and I, for one, am shocked.
The Philly center is a man of the people in the City of Brotherly Love — so much so that he could run for Mayor once his NFL playing career is over. Still, the Eagles’ organization and the fanbase wish Kelce would stay and play forever.
Kelce was graded out as one of the best centers in the league last season and continues to play at a high level. The Eagles have already made a succession plan for Kelce by drafting Landon Dickerson and Cam Jurgens — both played center during their collegiate careers.
With Kelce at the point in his career where he is taking one season at a time, is he contemplating an exit strategy?
Will the 2023 Season Be Jason Kelce’s Last?
It’s tough to tell. Kelce is a warrior on the football field, fighting the urge to continue playing alongside his teammates versus the desire to live a long, healthy life following his football career. The NFL season is grueling and physically taxing. No one knows this more than him.
Jason Kelce finishes the season as the 2nd highest-graded center, according to PFF.
Maybe he shouldn't retire. pic.twitter.com/m5PPoeun9B
— Brenden Deeg (@BrendenDeeg_) January 9, 2023
During the Amazon Prime documentary based on his life on and off the football field, Kelce emotionally states, “Every logical thing is telling me I should stop playing football.”
MORE: NFL Offense Rankings 2023
The documentary takes the viewer inside Kelce’s mind and his internal turmoil as he weighs his options. Kelce has been the focal point of retirement conversation for several seasons, but he ultimately decides to return to play for the only NFL franchise he’s ever known, the Philadelphia Eagles.
𝗕𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗚: #Eagles C Jason Kelce won’t retire, staying with the Eagles for 2023
The centerpiece of the best offensive line in football is sticking around pic.twitter.com/7t1L0EFknm
— JPAFootball (@jasrifootball) March 13, 2023
Kelce details his concerns regarding his health, including a conversation regarding CTE, which has impacted the lives of many football players following their playing careers. Kylie, Jason’s wife, is his biggest cheerleader and supporter, but she also wants her husband to be healthy following his playing days.
“I always tell people, no matter what happens with football, how it ends, I would like him to retire when he is still able to get down on the floor and play with our kids comfortably.”
The veteran struggles with what his life will be like following his football career and details the thrill of being on the field. “Fighting for your worth is hard, but it keeps you alive. It keeps the juice (expletive) going.”
Jason Kelce Cries Talking About Whether He Should Retire in New Doc: ‘Tearing My Body Apart’ https://t.co/SsEf13vS7o
— People (@people) September 11, 2023
The Kelce family would like to have Jason around more and wouldn’t mind if he retired. The Eagles’ fanbase wants Jason to play as long as he can and go down as one of their all-time greats. In between, we find a man with the weight of the world on his shoulders, who is debating the decision of his life.