It is presently unclear whether Jason Kelce will return to the Eagles for another season. In the wake of the team’s playoff loss in January, we heard that Kelce would call it a career, but several weeks later, the future Hall of Famer himself suggested he was still undecided on his future.
“I don’t know what’s going to happen for me,” Kelce said. “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.”
Now 36, the six-time First Team All-Pro center is at least exploring his post-playing career, as Michael McCarthy of Front Office Sports details. Per McCarthy, Kelce recently met with ESPN and Fox to discuss the possibility of some sort of on-air role, though those talks were described as preliminary in nature. McCarthy adds that Kelce has met with Amazon Prime Video about a spot on its Thursday Night Football crew.
McCarthy’s sources say that NBC and CBS are also expected to have interest when Kelce officially hangs up the cleats, so it sounds as if he will have no shortage of television options if he chooses to go that route. Although he has long been one of the best pivots in the game, the relentless media coverage of brother Travis Kelce‘s relationship with Taylor Swift, along with Jason’s memeable antics during the Chiefs’ divisional round victory over the Bills this year, have made Jason a recognizable face among the public at large. And the New Heights podcast that Jason and Travis co-host is, as McCarthy observes, one of the most popular sports podcasts in the country.
Jason, who has contemplated retirement for several years now, is out of contract, having just finished the one-year, $14.25MM deal he signed last March (one day after he announced he would return to the Eagles). If he decides to continue playing in 2024, he and the Eagles will need to work out a new pact, but negotations between the two sides would likely be quick and painless.
If he instead opts to leverage his newfound visibility into a full-time media career, Philadelphia would presumably shift 2022 draftee Cam Jurgens to center (Jurgens was the club’s starting right guard in 2023, though he missed some time due to a foot injury). Of course, Jason’s acceptance of a broadcaster/analyst post could impact his stated desire to remain with the Eagles in a front office or coaching capacity.
If he is hired to be an on air commentator does that mean he cannot work for the Eagles? How would that work?
He can replace Romo and/or Collinsworth straightaway.
I know it’s all a matter of personal preference, but I think Romo is the best color guy out there.
The world needs more sports commentators? I think he should give Hollywood a try. Sooner or later they will have to do a remake of “The Eagle has Landed”.
I’m kind of tired if his story and I like the guy. He was a great Eagle but it is time to move on. I feel the same way about Cox and Graham and soon Lane Johnson.
I felt that way about Jason Peters because the team would c on by on him and he’d go out and hobble off constantly, then they played a man short. I don’t feel that way about any of those guys you’re mentioning, they’re putting in the work and still among their most productive. They’re true Eagle and earned the right to end on their terms IMO.
Meant to say about Peters “the team would rely on him”. He was a beast and among the best, but near the end all you heard was about the Hall of Fame nonstop and then he’d find his place in the blue tent on the sideline. You can’t rely on unreliable people. Kelce, BG, Fletch, and Lane are gamers and not hobbling off with minor nicks and aches, they’re very reliable and still productive. I also don’t think Kelce is done, he might be fishing for a big paying job but if he doesn’t find it I could easily see him coming back for yet another $14mil salary. Guys like him don’t lose that desire to strap it up on Sundays, they just lose the desire to get back in the gym on day 1 of the off-season and continue until training camp.