San Francisco 49ers Coach Steve Wilks Discusses Philadelphia Eagles' Jason Kelce: 'First Ballot Hall of Famer'
The Philadelphia Eagles (10-1) host the San Francisco 49ers (8-3) on Sunday for what might be the most electric contest in Week 13.
A rematch from last year's NFC Championship, which the Eagles won over the 49ers 31-7, this meeting could also be a playoff preview for this coming postseason.
Coming off a Super Bowl loss to end last season, Philadelphia has evaded the dreaded hangover that sometimes accompanies those experiences. But due to their top-tier talent, San Francisco defensive coordinator Steve Wilks knows things won't be easy this weekend.
"We got a great opponent, NFC Champs, a good football team, well-coached, a lot of talent across the board," Wilks said of the Eagles. "Probably the best offensive line that we've faced all year, and it starts up front with [Philadelphia center Jason] Kelce. I consider him to be a first-ballot Hall of Famer, (an) outstanding player, and he really makes the show go up front."
Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce (pictured) is a future first-ballot Hall of Famer according to San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Steve Wilks.
© Bill Streicher, USA TODAY
Wilks also shared high praise of other Philadelphia players like running back D'Andre Swift, quarterback Jalen Hurts, and receivers A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith.
He was asked specifically what makes Kelce rank so highly in his opinion, and while we would all expect some hard-nosed football answer, he went deeper than that when sharing his evaluation.
"Just his knowledge of the game. I don't know him personally, but I know that he spends a lot of time watching a lot of tape, really studying his opponent, listening to the TV copy, trying to get any opponents he can get for us, calls, adjustments, and whatnot," he said. "He's just phenomenal in really putting them in the best position to be successful up front."
This season the Eagles have become famous, or infamous depending on who you talk to, for their ability to consistently gain ground in short-yardage situations. And while Wilks didn't go as far as to say Kelce is the key to making it work, he acknowledged the center is certainly a "major component of it."
Philadelphia doesn't want to have to rely on those short-yardage plays, but certainly feels good knowing it has Kelce leading the charge if it needs one or two per game.
With a Hall of Fame-caliber center on your side, it's hard not to feel confident, and if the Eagles handle the 49ers this Sunday they'll be one step closer to reaching Kelce's goal of winning another Super Bowl before he enters retirement and claims his spot as one of pro football's immortals.
