Long-time Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce was reportedly set to retire after the 2023 season. Multiple media reports indicated after Philadelphia’s loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the NFC Wild Card Playoffs that he’d be hanging up his cleats after 13 seasons.
That might not be the case. Appearing on The Big Podcast with NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal recently, Kelce left open the possibility of a return to football next season.
“I think if I still want to play, I’m going to play. I think right now [I’m] not far enough away from the last game. It’s emotional, it’s a long season, the end of the season quite frankly, awful. So I’m just going to take some time, rest, coup and then figure it out. I think I’ll have an answer in the next couple weeks”
Jason Kelce on potential return to the NFL in 2024
Kelce, 36, is still playing at a high level. The likely future Pro Football Hall of Famer earned Pro Bowl and First-Team All-Pro honors with the Philadelphia Eagles a season ago. Throughout his career, the former Cincinnati star has earned seven Pro Bowl appearances and has been named an All-Pro six times.
Related: Jason Kelce strips down in wild celebration of Travis Kelce’s playoff TD for Kansas City Chiefs
Will Jason Kelce return to the Philadelphia Eagles in 2024?
It’s hard to imagine Kelce playing for another team outside of Philadelphia. He’s suited up in the City of Brotherly Love for all 13 of his seasons in the NFL.
Even then, Kelce is technically slated to hit free agency next month. A return to the Eagles is not 100% guaranteed given their cap situation.
If Kelce does opt to return, there would be a huge market for his services. Perhaps, the veteran would look to latch on with a Super Bowl contender after watching his brother win a second consecutive title. He was also out in full force in Vegas following the Chiefs’ Super Bowl win, partying it up with Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift. It was a complete scene.
Either way, it will be interesting to see what comes of this in the next few weeks. For now, Kelce’s future is firmly up in the air.