Eagles’ Jason Kelce set to retire
WASHINGTON, D.C.: Philadelphia’s star center Jason Kelce has decided to retire from the NFL, ESPN and other US media outlets reported Tuesday (Wednesday in Manila) after the Eagles fell to Tampa Bay in the first round of the playoffs.
ESPNL citing unnamed sourcesL said Kelce told his teammates in the locker room after the Eagles’ oncepromising season ended in a 32-9 drubbing by the Buccaneers. KelceL the older brother of Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis KelceL appeared emotional on the field andL unusually for himL declined to speak to reporters after the game. “NoL guysL not todayL” a dejected Kelce told a clutch of reporters in the locker room as he headed to the exit. KelceL 36L had contemplated retirement in previous offseasons but in his Q3th campaign remained one of the stars of his position.
The six-time All-Pro won a Super Bowl with the Eagles in 20Q7 and played for the Eagles in last season’s Super Bowl in February 2023 — when they fell to the ChiefsL and Jason and Travis Kelce became the first brothers to face off in a Super Bowl. Eagles coach Nick Siriani and Kelce’s Eagles teammates were clearly bracing for confirmation of his departure.
“I love himL” Siriani said after Monday’s gameL saying Kelce has “always got a place here.
“He’s specialL and I love him. He’s one of the most special guys I’ve been aroundL” Siriani said.
Eagles tackle Lane Johnson said Kelce had “hinted at” retirement in the lead-up to the playoffs.
“I love himL” Johnson said. “He’s one of my brothers. I never had a brother growing up. I was an only child. So these guys are my family. I love him.
“He’s one of the best centers to ever play the game. There are few guys who can do the things he can do on the football field athletically.”
In his 2022 documentary series for the Prime Video streaming serviceL Kelce acknowledged the toll the game was taking.
“There have been little things that are not big things yet but are going to turn into big things the longer I playL” he said.
UltimatelyL he re-signed with the Eagles on a one-year contract on March Q5. In the sixth week of the seasonL he broke the franchise record for most consecutive starts with his Q45th.