Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce is reportedly retiring from the NFL after 13 years.
According to ESPN, league sources claimed that Kelce, 36, told his teammates he was retiring on Monday night in the locker room following the Eagles’ games against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Eagles lost to the Buccaneers in a 32-9 wild card playoff.
In a video clip posted by the NFL on X, formerly Twitter, Kelce appeared outwardly emotional at the end of the game. After the game, he declined to talk to reporters in the locker room, telling them, “No guys, not today.”
Eagles right tackle Lane Johnson revealed to reporters that Kelce had “hinted” to his teammates that he would be leaving after this season. According to sources, he had considered retiring in past seasons.
ESPN Senior NFL Insider Adam Schefter broke the news about Kelce’s alleged departure on X.
“Six-time All-Pro and future Hall-of-Fame center Jason Kelce told his Eagles’ teammates in Monday night’s postgame locker room that he is in fact retiring, per league sources,” he wrote.
Schefter added, “The 36-year-old Kelce became visibly emotional at the end of the Eagles’ 32-9 loss to the Buccaneers. He has considered retiring after other recent seasons, but this time is said to be real and happening.”
Eagles coach Nick Sirianni praised the six-time All-Pro and said he loves him.
“He’s special and I love him. He’s one of the most special guys I’ve been around. He’s always got a place here,” he said, via ESPN.
Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts called Kelce a “legend in the city” and “really in the league.”
“I don’t want to do a disservice to him and the things he’s been able to do and overcome. His journey to where he is now didn’t come easy,” Hurts shared.
He continued, “It’s been a long, long time coming for him, and every year since I’ve been here, it’s been, ‘Are you going to come back?'”
“But he knows how much I love and appreciate him. He knows how much I’ve learned from him. He’ll forever have a special place in my heart,” Hurts said.
This season, Kelce played on a one-year contract with the Eagles and would be a free agent coming March.