Jason Kelce has decided his time in the NFL will come to an end.
The soon-to-be Hall of Famer announced to his team that he will not return next season after the Philadelphia Eagles Wild Card Game loss last night.
After the game, Kelce was seen getting very emotional when talking to his offensive line coach and then carrying that emotion while thanking fans and family who lined the first row in the stadium as he made his way off the field.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter took to Twitter to share that an NFL insider reported Kelce’s retirement announcement.
“Six-time All-Pro and future Hall-of-Fame center Jason Kelce told his Eagles’ teammates in Monday night’s postgame locker room that he is in fact retiring, per league sources.
The 36-year-old Kelce became visibly emotional at the end of the Eagles’ 32-9 loss to the Buccaneers. He has considered retiring after other recent seasons, but this time is said to be real and happening.”
Kelce had considered retirement last year before announcing in March via Twitter (X) that he felt his time on the field was not done and would return for another season.
“I have put much thought into whether it makes sense to play another season… Thank you to all my supporters and detractors for fueling me, I ain’t f–king done yet!”
As Kelce and his wife Kylie welcomed their third baby girl into the world last February, Kelce feels that it is finally time to focus on his family and end his outstanding NFL career.
Kelce was drafted by the Eagles in 2011 in the sixth round of the NFL Draft. He has spent his whole career with the team as their center and has made unimaginable contributions to the successes of the Philadelphia Eagles throughout his time with them, cementing himself as one of the greatest centers of all time in the league.
Kelce will retire as a six-time All-Pro center, a Super Bowl champion, 193 games played, and a soon-to-be Hall Of Fame member.
While fans of the Eagles will miss Kelce on the field greatly, at least we know that we can still hear him talk about the game and shoot sh*t with his brother, Travis, on their New Heights podcast.
