The time may have come. After talking to teammates, Jason Kelce plans to retire from the NFL. This comes after the Eagles loss to the Buccaneers during Super Wild Card weekend.
Kelce, 36, was visibly emotional toward the conclusion of Monday’s loss and declined to speak with reporters postgame. “No guys, not today,” he said, according to Schefter.
Kelce has been speculated to retire for the last three seasons now. He has come back each season before, but this time it feels a bit different. His emotions and reaction on the sideline showed a man who played his last football game.
Kelce played this season on a one-year contract and was set to become a free agent in March.
The future Hall of Famer, who was a sixth round pick in 2011, went on to play 193 regular season games and 12 postseason games. One of these postseason games included anchoring the offensive line in a Super Bowl LII win over the New England Patriots. All of his 13 seasons were with the Philadelphia Eagles.
He will finish his career as a six time All-Pro, seven time Pro-Bowler, and one time Super Bowl Champ.
Kelce has seen his profile be on the rise over the past couple seasons. He has starred in several commercials and co-hosts the “New Heights” podcast alongside his brother, tight end Travis Kelce.
Earlier this season he broke the Eagles’ record for most consecutive starts (145) previously held by Jon Runyan. Kelce is the fifth center in NFL history with at least six All-Pro selections. The other four — Jim Otto, Bulldog Turner, Dermontti Dawson, Jim Ringo — are all in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Congrats on one hell of a career Jason Kelce! If you truly are done, we will see you in Canton, Ohio here soon.
Jaden Chandler-Parnell, or “JC” is a Sports & Sports Betting Insider for Stare Down Sports. You can Follow him on X @Jaden95Chandler
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