JASON KELCE IS reportedly retiring from the NFL. According to ESPN, the Philadelphia Eagles center announced his plans to end his pro football career to his teammates following their Monday, January 15 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
A visibly emotional Kelce declined to speak to reporters after the game, saying “No guys, not today,” and instead informed his fellow Eagles in a private locker room conversation.
Kelce first prompted speculation back in October 2023 that this season may well be his last in the NFL, and hinted that his focus was shifting towards setting new post-NFL career goals.
“We took on a lot last year, and it ended up working out really, really well for Travis and I at the end of the season,” he told The NFL Report.
“You know, I think it is a lot, and I think the way we’ve justified it as a family is that this is going to be over pretty soon here.
If it’s this year, which it very well could be, we want to make sure that we’re ready to go when football is done, and with all of these different opportunities and things, to figure out what it is we want to do with our retirement.
And then on top of that, just enjoy the last time you have left with the guys you have.”
Speaking to reporters on Monday, Kelce’s teammate Lane Johnson seemingly confirmed the news of Kelce’s retirement.
“I love him. He’s one of the best to ever play the game,” he said. “The things he can do on the football field athletically — I don’t think we’ll see another one like him for a long time.”