Eagles’ Jason Kelce Addresses Retirement Rumors

Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce addressed rumors about his retirement on his podcast New Heights with his brother and Kansas City Chiefs tight end, Travis Kelce. 

In the episode, Kelce, a 13-year veteran and Super Bowl winner with the Eagles, said that he wishes to retire on his own terms and not make a difficult decision after their 32-9 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers over Wild Card Weekend.

“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, there’s too much going down in the moment, to really fully grasp that decision,” Kelce said. “I’m not trying to be dramatic and continue to draw this thing out, I’m really not.”

After the Eagles loss, a report from ESPN’s Adam Schefter stated that Jason told his teammates that he was ending his career on the field. But on his podcast, Jason said that his postgame interactions with his teammates were regarding his love for them, rather than announcing his retirement.

“I don’t think that it would be respectful or even accurate to be able to do that right after a game like that…. But, in the future, there will be something said, I guess,” he said.

Before the 2023 season Kelce signed a one year deal in hopes to return to the Super Bowl after their 38-35 championship loss to the Kansas City Chiefs the year prior.

Coming out of the University of Cincinnati in 2011, Kelce has had one of the most prolific careers for an offensive lineman in NFL history. In his 13 seasons, Kelce has received six first-team All-Pro honors, a feat only accomplished by four other centers in football, all of whom have made the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

A high point of Kelce’s career also came when the Eagles won Super Bowl LII in the 2016 season. Most famously, after the win Kelce gave a raucous speech during their championship parade celebration, aiding in his persona as one of the most well-liked and supported athletes in Philadelphia and the NFL.

“It’s just something that I think, when it’s time to officially announce what’s happening in the future, it’ll be done at in a way that’s definitive and pays respect to a lot of people and individuals that have meant a lot to me and what has led to the career I’ve had,” he said.