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Jason Kelce issues stark warning to Nick Sirianni's Eagles before Bengals game

Originally posted on Inside the Iggles | By Gourab Saha | Last updated Aug 7, 2025 4:00 PM ET

Jason Kelce has experienced the view from the mountaintop. The retired Eagles legend, fresh off his iconic Mummers suit chat on the "Exciting Mics" podcast, cast a long shadow over the NovaCare Complex this week.

Think of that first tee shot at Augusta when the pressure's cranked—anticipation mixed with knowing every eye dissects your swing. And Kelce’s words weren't about nostalgia. They were a seasoned veteran's flare gun, signaling danger ahead for the reigning champs.

So, what's the stark warning from the future Hall of Famer? Simply put: bullseye, Eagles. Kelce vividly recalled the 2018 season following Philly’s first Super Bowl win.

The Warning That Lingers In The Air

He stressed the immense target painted on their backs. "Everybody is looking at your film to try and replicate what you guys had success with," Kelce emphasized on the podcast. "All the brightest minds are going to be trying to figure things out that you guys did well." He specifically pointed to their early-season clash with Kansas City.

"We didn't play the Patriots that year, but we played them the following year... you guys will play KC early this season," Kelce warned. "It's going to feel like a playoff game." Safety Reed Blankenship echoed the sentiment, calling it "a challenge."

Kelce agreed, "That's right. It is. It's the challenge." And this isn't mere talk. It’s the reality facing Nick Sirianni's squad as they kick off the preseason against Cincinnati tonight.

The Bengals roll into the Linc with starters like Joe Burrow for "several series," per Coach Zac Taylor. Meanwhile, Sirianni remains coy about playing Eagles' first-stringers.

It feels like spring training baseball—the scoreboard matters less than evaluating talent under the lights. For 90 Eagles fighting for 53 spots, tonight is everything. Key battles ignite everywhere:

QB Depth: Tanner McKee vs. Dorian Thompson-Robinson vs. Kyle McCord.
New Faces: Can A.J. Dillon, Azeez Ojulari, Joshua Uche, and draft picks flash?
Starting Spots: Right guard (Tyler Steen shining), linebacker (Jihaad Campbell, Smael Mondon, Jeremiah Trotter Jr.), safety, and CB2.
Roster Emergence: Who follows paths like Eli Ricks or Moro Ojomo did?

Kelce's Echo in Preseason Action

Kelce’s warning resonates deeper than Week 1. It’s about the entire journey. The Bengals game, while an exhibition, offers the first glimpse of how the Eagles handle that target. Will backups like wide receiver Elijah Cooks or linebacker Smael Mondon seize their "challenge," embodying Kelce's mindset?

Defensive Coordinator Vic Fangio might deploy potential starters briefly, seeking early answers. Focus areas include:

Execution Over Score: Crisp play, organization, and health trump the win-loss column.
Special Teams & Tech: Debut of new kickoff rules and AI first-down measurement.
Separation: Who rises at WR4/5 and cornerback?

The stakes feel high. Jalen Hurts is embodying cool efficiency despite camp ups and downs. He stated simply about playing, "I relish in it... if coach makes that decision, I will." His readiness contrasts with Cincinnati's plan for Burrow. Meanwhile, Hurts dropped the mic again yesterday.

“Nothing that I’ve accomplished in the past will get me what I desire in the future,” Hurts said. And his motto echoes across the Eagles' dressing room. And Kelce’s message is the drumbeat for this new season.

The Lombardi Trophy gleams, but the path back is mined with rivals studying every Eagles tendency. Tonight starts the evaluation. Can Sirianni’s squad embrace Kelce’s "challenge" mentality from the very bottom of the roster up?

The quest to prove Kelce’s warning won't derail them begins under the Linc lights.

This article first appeared on Inside the Iggles and was syndicated with permission.

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