Jason Kelce: Final call on career coming ‘when it’s time’

Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce declined to specifically address his playing future during the latest episode of his podcast, saying he would make an official announcement “when the time is right.”

Kelce's comments on the “New Heights” podcast, which he co-hosts with his brother, Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, came after ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Tuesday morning, citing league sources said the longtime center had told his Eagles teammates he was retiring after their loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Kelce, 36, said emotions were too high after the Eagles' 32-9 loss to make a final decision such as retirement.

“I just don't think you're in a position, after a game like that, to really make that decision. I just don't think so,” Kelce said in the episode released Wednesday. “There are too many emotions in the moment. There are too many things happening in the moment to really understand this decision.

“I'm not trying to be dramatic and keep bringing this thing out. It's really not. It's just something I'm thinking about, when it's time to officially announce what's going to happen in the future it will be done in a way that is definitive and honors a lot of people and individuals who have meant a lot to me, which has led to the career that I have had. I don't think that “It would be respectful or even right to be able to do that properly after a match like that.”

Kelce acknowledged that he addressed his Eagles teammates in the locker room, telling them, “I have confidence in each and every one of you.”

“Cherish the moments that you have in this league. I think that's kind of how it happened. A lot of guys say, 'If this is your last game, I feel sorry for you.' Don’t feel sorry for me, motherfuckers,” Kelce said, before stopping to gather his emotions.

Kelce was also visibly emotional at the end of the Eagles' loss Monday and refused to speak to reporters in the locker room after the game.

Eagles right tackle Lane Johnson told reporters that Kelce had “hinted” to his teammates that this would be his last season.

“I love him. He's one of the best to ever play the game,” Johnson said. “The things he can do on the football field athletically, I don’t think we’ll see another one like him for a long time.”

Kelce's contract expires after the season, his 13th in the NFL. He is a six-time All-Pro, earning the honor for the third consecutive year in 2023.

He reiterated on his podcast the uncertainty surrounding his future and the rest of the team after a season that ended with an unexpected 1-6 finish after a 10-1 start that made the Eagles one of first contenders for the Super Bowl.

“I think there was a lot of emotion in the room. I don't know what the future holds for anyone in this building right now,” Kelce said.

Information from ESPN's Tim McManus was used in this report.