Jason Kelce reacts to Eagles' bad snap, turnovers in first game since retirement
Jason Kelce finally decided to hang up his cleats at the end of last season for the Philadelphia Eagles, wrapping up his prolific career as one of the best linemen in league history. This season, he’s trying to enjoy watching from the sidelines. And Friday night’s Eagles-Packers game didn’t exactly get off to a great start for Philadelphia, dealing with a bad snap that led to a Green Bay fumble recovery.
Kelce was watching on Friday night and shortly after the fumble, he kept a positive attitude. “Only up from here!!” he wrote on his Twitter page.
The Eagles did finally get things going on offense later in the first half, with Jalen Hurts connecting with Saquon Barkley on a touchdown pass (wheel route). Barkley found the end zone again in the first half, with a 11-yard touchdown run. It didn’t take long for the Packers to answer, after Jordan Love connected with Jayden Reed on a 70-yard touchdown pass, to put Green Bay up 19-14.
More on Jason Kelce and his football career
Kelce put together a decorated career for the Eagles after they selected him in the sixth round of the 2011 NFL Draft out of Cincinnati. He became a six-time All-Pro selection and a seven-time Pro Bowler as a key part of the Philadelphia offensive line and he seemed to get better and better with age.
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Joining the Eagles’ offensive line as a rookie pushing an incumbent starter, Kelce won the job during his first preseason. He went on to become the first rookie in Eagles history to start all 16 games at center. Partial MCL and ACL tears in 2012 knocked him out for most of his second year but he returned to start all 16 games in 2013.
After earning All-Pro First Team honors in 2017, Kelce helped the Eagles clinch a victory in Super Bowl LII, defeating the New England Patriots 41–33. It took several seasons but he made it back to the Super Bowl with Philadelphia in 2022, but lost to the Kansas City Chiefs, and his brother Travis. He toyed with retirement after that loss but opted to return for another chance at the Lombardi Trophy in 2023.
Kelce’s career earnings over 13 seasons in the league top $81.7 million, according to Spotrac. His $14.25 million salary in 2023 made him the highest-paid center in the NFL last season.
Nikki Chavanelle also contributed to this article.