In the aftermath of the Eagles’ wild-card loss, it was reported center Jason Kelce informed his teammates he was retiring. No official announcement has been made yet, though, and the future Hall of Famer acknowledged that his future is uncertain.
Kelce has been a mainstay on the Eagles’ O-line since his rookie season in 2011. The 36-year-old has contemplated retirement on a number of occasions in recent years, but he has elected to take one-year deals to continue his career. Kelce has earned first-team All-Pro honors in each of the past three seasons, demonstrating his ongoing ability to play at a high level. If he does hang up his cleats, though, he does not intend to depart the organization.
“I don’t know what’s going to happen for me,” Kelce said, via Olivia Reiner of the Philadelphia Inquirer. “But I do know, I still want to be involved in the organization and still want to be a part of it, regardless of what the decision is. Because I don’t want to ever feel like I’m on the outside looking in on these achievements and these accolades and these opportunities that largely represent entire cities and fan bases and organizations.”
Kelce has been in attendance for the Chiefs’ past two playoff games to support his brother Travis. The latter will have a chance at a third Super Bowl title in two weeks’ time and a second straight after being Jason and the Eagles last season. Any formal announcement will likely not be made until after the campaign comes to an end, but of course, it is notable he has left the door open to another year as a player.
The Eagles drafted Cam Jurgens in the second round in 2022 to take over as Kelce’s successor at the center spot. Jurgens spent the 2023 campaign at right guard, but he could take over for Kelce if he does indeed elect to transition to a coaching or front-office role.
At a minimum, Kelce should be expected to remain in Philadelphia for 2024 in some capacity regardless of whether he has played his final snap.
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