Eagles OL Jason Kelce to Retire
Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce is retiring.
The stalwart offensive lineman revealed the decision to teammates after Monday night’s wild-card playoff loss at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, according to multiple reports.
The news was broken Tuesday morning by ESPN’s Adam Schefter and confirmed minutes later by NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo.
Kelce was named first-team All-Pro six times and received seven Pro Bowl selections during a 13-year NFL career spent entirely with the Eagles. He played in 193 of a possible 211 regular-season games during that span, all starts, after being selected in the sixth round of the 2011 NFL draft out of Cincinnati.
Kelce was spotted by ESPN cameras tearing up on the sideline at the end of Monday’s game, a 32–9 loss at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, fueling speculation that he might’ve played his final game.
Kelce declined to speak to reporters after Monday’s game.
“Not today, guys, sorry,” Kelce said. “Take it easy.”
Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce salutes fans after Monday’s wild-card playoff loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium.
Nathan Ray Seebeck / USA TODAY Sports
Despite being a sixth-round pick, Kelce was named a starter as a rookie and went on to become a franchise icon. He played in 12 postseason games during seven playoff appearances with the Eagles, including the team’s victory over the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LII.
“He’s special, and I love him,” Eagles coach Nick Sirianni told reporters after the game. “He’s one of the most special guys I’ve been around.”
After Monday’s game, longtime Eagles offensive tackle Lane Johnson said Kelce is arguably the best center in NFL history.
“If it was his last game, he’s one of the best teammates I ever had, a guy whose passion was unmatched,” Johnson told reporters.
Kelce, 36, is one of just five centers in NFL history to earn at least six first-team All-Pro selections. Each of the other four, Dermontti Dawson, Jim Otto, Jim Ringo and Bulldog Turner, are members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Kelce will become eligible for induction in 2029.
