Jason Kelce clarifies 'retirement' timeline with Philadelphia Eagles

Jason Kelce responded to reports of his imminent retirement after the Philadelphia Eagles’ Wild Card playoff loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

ESPN’s Adam Shefter tweeted Kelce informed his teammates that he would retire following the game in the locker room. However, Kelce revealed on his podcast New Heights that he did not make an official decision yet.

With changes in Philadelphia on the horizon, Kelce did not make anything official quite yet.

“I didn’t announce what I was doing on purpose,” Kelce told his brother Travis on the show. “Despite I guess what’s been leaked to the media. But you know, I think there’s a lot of people who can feel body language itself, you know, you I just don’t think you’re in a position after a game like that to really make that decision. I just don’t, there’s too much emotion in the moment. There’s too much going down at the moment to really fully grasp that decision. 

“I’m not trying to be dramatic and continue to draw this thing out. I’m really not. It’s just something that I think, you know, when it’s time to officially announce what’s happening in the future, it’ll be done in a way that’s definitive and it pays respect to a lot of people and individuals that have meant a lot to me.” 

An emotional Kelce didn’t want any of his teammates feeling sorry for him despite going out with a loss. 

“I don’t think that it would be respectful or even accurate to be able to do that right after a game like that,” Kelce said. “Frustrated I guess, that kind of everything that’s happening but in the future there’ll be something said. But I did address the team and pretty much said the same thing that I just said to you, which is like I believe in every single one of you guys, you know, cherish the moment you have in this league. 

“You know, so, yeah, thank you. It’s kind of the way with them. And you know, a lot of guys like you know, if that is your last game, I feel sorry for you. I’m like, don’t feel sorry for me mother (expletive).”

If Kelce’s career is done, he finished as a six-time All-Pro selection in 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022 and 2023, respectively. Kelce also earned Pro Bowl honors on seven occasions including every year for the last five seasons. 

Before the pros, he earned two second-team All-Big East in 2009 and 2010, respectively, with Cincinnati.He played 194 games during his illustrious career, and finished his tenure in the league as a Super Bowl champion, claiming Super Bowl LII in 2018 with the Eagles.