Jason Kelce, the Philadelphia Eagles’ All-Pro center for 13 memorable years, is rumored to have decided to call it a career. The announcement came after the Eagles’ season-ending wild card loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday, with Kelce reportedly informing his teammates in the locker room, as revealed by ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Kelce’s decision marks the end of a remarkable career that earned him six All-Pro selections, seven Pro Bowl appearances, and an important role in the Eagles’ Super Bowl win in February 2018. His impact on the team and the league as a whole was acknowledged by Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni, who expressed his love for Kelce, calling him “special” and stating, “He’s always got a place here.”
The 36-year-old future Hall-of-Famer displayed visibly strong emotion on the sidelines throughout the game. Commentator Troy Aikman noted, “That looks like a man filled with emotion right now.” When the final seconds slipped away, Kelce embraced his offensive line coach, Jeff Stoutland, before greeting his wife, Kylie McDevitt Kelce, and his father, Ed Kelce, in the front row.
While walking to the locker room, Kelce appeared subdued. Eagles right tackle Lane Johnson hinted that Kelce had been dropping hints about retirement to teammates, saying, “I love him. He’s one of the best to ever play the game.”
The emotional toll of football coupled with Kelce’s contemplation of retirement was documented in his Prime Video documentary, “Kelce,” released in September 2023. The film followed him on and off the field throughout the 2022-23 NFL season, offering insights into the challenges he faced as a father to three young daughters and the toll football has had on his body.
At one point in the documentary, Kelce admitted, “Every logical thing is telling me I should stop playing football. I’ve got to tear my body apart.” Despite the concerns made from Kelce’s comments,, he returned for the 2023 season, signing a one-year contract and declaring on social media, “Thank you to all my supporters and detractors for fueling me, I ain’t f—king done yet!”
His decision to retire came at a time when retirement rumors had been circulating. In an interview before Monday’s game, Kelce acknowledged the uncertainty of his career’s end, and his desire to approach each game with the mindset that it could be the last.
Teammates and fellow players have already been paying tribute to Kelce’s legacy. Quarterback Jalen Hurts called him a “legend in the city” and expressed gratitude for Kelce’s impact on his career. Johnson said, “The things he can do on the football field athletically — I don’t think we’ll see another one like him for a long time.”
As the news of Kelce’s retirement spread, fans began mourning the end of an era. Sirianni, while initially cautious in confirming the retirement during an interview, expressed his admiration for Kelce and suggested that time would tell what the future holds for the revered center.
Kelce’s legacy will forever be engraved in NFL history. As fans are pushing for his recognition in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, the end of his playing career marks the closing of a chapter in Philadelphia Eagles history.
Jason Kelce will leave behind a legacy of excellence, leadership, and a deep connection with Philly and its fans.
