ESPN officially announces Jason Kelce as Monday Night Football analyst

ESPN officially announced Jason Kelce as an analyst on Monday Night Countdown Tuesday afternoon. The former Philadelphia Eagles center will spend his first year in retirement as part of Monday Night Football on the network.

Kelce has his suitors after hanging up his cleats, including CBS, NBC and Amazon, The Athletic’s Andrew Marchand previously reported. However, ESPN won out and announced the move at the Disney Upfronts in New York City Tuesday. Kelce jumped up on stage to make it official as he joins Scott Van Pelt, Ryan Clark, Marcus Spears, Adam Schefter and Michelle Beisner-Buck on MNF coverage.

In addition to his duties on Countdown, Kelce will also appear in-studio during the postseason and will be part of ESPN’s coverage of Super Bowl LXI in 2027 as part of his multi-year deal.

“Turns out, it was a short retirement!” Kelce said in a statement. “I’m excited to join ESPN, and particularly the Monday Night Countdown team. ESPN was a consistent presence in our household growing up and the network helped shape who I am and my love of all sports. To now appear on that same screen is a full circle moment. And, I mean it’s freaking Monday Night Football! and I’m ready for some football.”

During his playing career, Kelce became one of the most decorated offensive linemen of the generation, named a First-Team All-Pro six times and a Pro Bowler seven times in his 13-year NFL career. He also helped lead the Eagles to a Super Bowl LIII win over the New England Patriots.

But throughout his career, he’s also become one of the most beloved players across the NFL. Highlighted by the popularity of his podcast and off-the-field antics like appearances at WrestleMania and his work alongside his Eagles teammates on a Christmas album titled A Philly Special Christmas.

Kelce was also featured in a popular documentary during the 2022 NFL season titled Kelce that detailed his life on and off the field and was released on Amazon Prime Video.

“Jason is a highly respected, Super Bowl Champion with a strong connection to fans,” ESPN President of Content Burke Magnus said in a statement announcing Kelce’s hiring. “Walking off the field and immediately to ESPN, viewers will benefit from his perspective which has been shaped through his years as an established locker room leader and a future Hall of Fame center. Jason’s addition to Monday Night Countdown will greatly strengthen our NFL coverage.”