Jason Kelce seems to be at a crossroads regarding his NFL future.
The longtime Eagles center — who has been the focus of retirement speculation following Philadelphia’s stunning first-round playoff ouster in January — fueled speculation of a potential return when mingling with Birds fans over the weekend at the 2024 Pro Bowl in Orlando.
“Please don’t retire, for the love of football, please don’t,” someone can be heard telling Kelce, 36, in a TikTok video posted by @rossitakes.
While keeping his head down, the 13-year veteran appeared to say, “I’m gonna try not to.”
Kelce’s NFL future is one of the biggest storylines of the offseason after the Eagles lost six of their final seven games following a 10-1 start.
“Please don’t retire”
“I’m gonna try not to.” – Jason Kelce pic.twitter.com/vUTwxF4Exx
— Crossing Broad (@CrossingBroad) February 6, 2024
Kelce reportedly told his teammates in the locker room after Philadelphia’s wild-card loss to the Buccaneers on Jan. 15 that he is retiring.
The All-Pro center later explained on his “New Heights” podcast — which he co-hosts with his younger brother, Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce — that he will announce his future plans when the time is right, and when he fully processes the wild-card defeat.
Eagles center Jason Kelce signing autographs at the 2024 Pro Bowl in Orlando, Fla.TikTok/@rossitakes
Travis weighed in on his brother’s situation Monday during the Super Bowl Opening Night festivities in Las Vegas, where the reigning champion Chiefs will face the 49ers in the big game on Feb. 11.
“I’ll tell you what, I think it’s still up in the air whether or not he’s going to continue to play football,” Travis told 11-year-old reporter Jeremiah Fennell.
When asked if his older brother would play in the Eagles’ international game in Brazil next season, the 34-year-old tight end replied, “I think he’s got some football left in him.”
Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce smiles during the Pro Bowl S𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁s Showdown in Orlando, Fla., on Feb. 1, 2024.AP
NFC center Jason Kelce (62) of the Philadelphia Eagles during the 2024 Pro Bowl at Camping World Stadium on Feb. 4, 2024.USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con
Kelce, who is set to become a free agent next month, announced last March he would “return for another year after talking it over with my wife [Kylie Kelce] and many other friends and family.”
Taking to X at the time, Kelce wrote: “I have put much thought into whether it makes sense to play another season… Thank you to all my supporters and detractors for fueling me, I ain’t f–king done yet!”
Jason Kelce #62 of the Philadelphia Eagles walks off the field after a loss in the NFC Wild Card playoff game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on January 15, 2024 in Tampa, Florida.Getty Images
A sixth-round pick (No. 191 overall) by the Eagles in the 2011 NFL Draft, Kelce has six All-Pro selections and seven Pro Bowls under his belt.
He won Super Bowl LII in 2018 with the Eagles and helped Philadelphia reach the Super Bowl last February when he faced Travis and the Chiefs in a 38-35 loss in Phoenix.
