Jason Kelce (Photo by Isaiah Vazquez/Getty Images)
Philadelphia Eagles legend Jason Kelce all but confirmed that he’ll never come out of retirement after revealing a remarkable offseason body transformation.
Though he was still at the top of his game last year, Jason Kelce decided to hang up the cleats on his illustrious career that will lead to a spot in the Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility.
Because Kelce was playing at a high level in his age-36 season, many fans can’t help but wonder if he’d come out of retirement and return to the Eagles — especially if they’re in Super Bowl contention.
But during an interview with the Associated Press, Jason Kelce made it clear that a comeback is not happening. Kelce cited that the Eagles won’t be calling him back after his drastic offseason weight loss:
“They’re not going to call me to come back and play center at 260 pounds, and I’m moving on to the next thing and I’m excited to watch Cam (Jurgens). I really think Cam is going to be tremendous this year. He’s going to really show people how great of a player he is.
He was good for us last year at right guard and he’s going to flourish at center. And for me personally, my days of playing are just done and I do not foresee any scenario taking place other than maybe medicine inventing a way to get rid of arthritis that I would ever entertain coming back at all anymore.”
Kelce weighed 295 pounds in his final season of football and has since dropped to 275. He’s now focused on dropping that number to 260, which would mark a drastic 35-pound loss from his playing days.
The 36-year-old retires with six First-team All-Pro selections and eight Pro Bowl nods on his resume. Kelce led the Eagles to their first Super Bowl championship in franchise history in the 2017 season, anchoring an offensive line that only allowed two sacks on Nick Foles in the playoffs.
Jason Kelce Will Still Be In The Football Spotlight
Fans of Kelce needn’t worry about his retirement. The future Hall of Fame inductee will still be on your computers, phones and television sets aplenty.
Not only will he continue co-hosting the popular “New Heights” podcast with younger brother Travis Kelce, but Jason is also set to begin his career as an NFL analyst on ESPN’s “Monday Night Countdown” program.
Kelce’s first regular season game as an NFL analyst will be on Sept. 9, when the San Francisco 49ers host Aaron Rodgers’ New York Jets at Levi’s Stadium.