Philadelphia’s star center Jason Kelce has decided to retire from the NFL, ESPN and other US media outlets reported Tuesday after the Eagles fell to Tampa Bay in the first round of the playoffs.
ESPN, citing unnamed sources, said Kelce told his teammates in the locker room after the Eagles’ once-promising season ended in a 32-9 drubbing by the Buccaneers.
Kelce, the older brother of Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, appeared emotional on the field and, unusually for him, declined to speak to reporters after the game.
“No, guys, not today,” a dejected Kelce told a clutch of reporters in the locker room as he headed to the exit.
Kelce, 36, had contemplated retirement in previous offseasons but in his 13th campaign remained one of the stars of his position.
The six-time All-Pro won a Super Bowl with the Eagles in 2017 and played for the Eagles in last season’s Super Bowl in February 2023 — when they fell to the Chiefs and Jason and Travis Kelce became the first brothers to face off in a Super Bowl.
Eagles coach Nick Siriani and Kelce’s Eagles teammates were clearly bracing for confirmation of his departure.
“I love him,” Siriani said after Monday’s game, saying Kelce has “always got a place here.
“He’s special and I love him. He’s one of the most special guys I’ve been around,” Siriani said.
Eagles tackle Lane Johnson said Kelce had “hinted at” retirement in the lead-up to the playoffs.
“I love him,” Johnson said. “He’s one of my brothers. I never had a brother growing up. I was an only child. So these guys are my family. I love him.
“He’s one of the best centers to ever play the game. There are few guys who can do the things he can do on the football field athletically.”
In his 2022 documentary series for the Prime Video streaming service, Kelce acknowledged the toll the game was taking.
“There have been little things that are not big things yet but are going to turn into big things the longer I play,” he said.
Ultimately he re-signed with the Eagles on a one-year contract on March 15. In the sixth week of the season he broke the franchise record for most consecutive starts with his 145th.
