Philadelphia Eagles Jason Kelce, who is regarded as one of the best NFL centers of all time and a future first ballot Hall of Famer, is calling it quits after 13 years.
Following the Eagles’ 32-9 season-ending playoff loss at the hands of Baker Mayfield and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday night, an emotional Kelce, who was struggling to hold back tears, informed teammates that he is retiring following his 13th season, NFL Network Insider Mike Garafolo reported.
ESPN reported the news first.
Kelce, the older brother of Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, is a seven-time Pro Bowler, six-time All-Pro and one-time Super Bowl champion.
In the moments after the Eagles devastating loss, an exhausted Kelce declined to talk with reporters in the locker room saying: “No guys, not today.”
When questioned by the media about the possibility of losing his center, Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni did not mince words.
“He’s special, and I love him,” Sirianni said Monday night. “He’s one of the most special guys I’ve been around.”
The 36-year-old Kelce, bound for Canton one day, has weighed his playing future over the past several seasons, but this time it is real, according to sources.
Following a Super Bowl loss last season to his brother’s Chiefs, 38-35, he was uncertain of his future in the days following. A year prior, Kelce announced he was returning after Sirianni sent him a couple of kegs of beer to encourage him to run it back.
Embed from Getty ImagesThis time around, Kelce is walking into the sunset.
Kelce played this season on a one-year deal and was set to hit the free agency market in March.
He was a terror on the gridiron since he was selected in the sixth round of the 2011 NFL Draft out of the University of Cincinnati, starting all 16 games for Andy Reid’s Eagles. Kelce has played his entire 13-year career with the Eagles and has been one of the key leaders for a team that has made six postseason berths and two Super Bowl trips over the past seven seasons. They fit together like a hand and glove.
“He’s a legend in the city — really in the league,” Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts said. “I don’t want to do a disservice to him and the things he’s been able to do and overcome. His journey to where he is now didn’t come easy. It’s been a long, long time coming for him, and every year since I’ve been here, it’s been, ‘Are you going to come back?’
He walks away from a playing career still at the top of his game and as one of the most identifiable players in the league. Kelce has gotten multiple opportunities outside of football. His New Heights podcast with Jason and Travis Kelce is entertaining beyond belief, and he has found himself in Campbell’s Soup commercials with his brother and mom. He was even selected as one of People’s Sexiest Men of the Year.
It would not be a shocker if Kelce stuck around the game in the broadcast booth, either, as he received positive reviews while taking part in last off-season’s NFL Broadcasting and Media Workshop.
Articulate and likeable, Kelce was an established star locally in Philadelphia before his star rose to a national level.
Kelce was extremely durable, playing in 193 regular-season contest and 12 in the postseason, including starting for the Eagles in Super Bowl LII, which saw Philadelphia defeat Tom Brady and the New England Patriots, 41-33, for the franchise’s only Super Bowl triumph.
One of the game’s finest characters and finest players is bidding the league farewell.