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Jason Kelce spoke about reports of his retirement on the latest episode of the New Heights podcasts that he hosts with his brother Travis.
Following the Philadelphia Eagles’ loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the Wild Card round on Monday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reported that the 36-year-old Kelce told his teammates that he would be calling it a career.
While speaking on New Heights, the elder Kelce said that “in the future, there will be something said, I guess.”
“I don’t know what next year is going to look like with the team. I just want to make sure everybody knows how much I love and respect and appreciate the effort and energy they put into the year,” Kelce said.
Kelce then expressed some frustration with the media reporting on his retirement before he could officially announce it.
“I didn’t announce what I was doing on purpose despite I guess what’s been leaked to the media. … 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 in 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.”
Kelce spent all 13 of his seasons in the NFL with the Philadelphia Eagles after being drafted by the team in the sixth round of the 2011 NFL Draft.
During those 13 seasons in Philly, Kelce won a Super Bowl and was selected to the Pro Bowl seven times. He is widely regarded as being the best center of his generation and a likely future Hall of Fame selection.
Kelce’s retirement is one of many changes coming to the Eagles during the offseason, who are expected to see significant roster turnover and are reportedly considering firing head coach Nick Sirianni.