Jason Kelce addressed reports he allegedly told Eagles teammates he was retiring following Philadelphia’s playoff loss against Tampa Bay and made it clear that no final decision has been made.
During the “New Heights” podcast with his brother Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, Jason talked about getting emotional on the sidelines following the Wild Card game loss to the Buccaneers and what he told his teammates in the locker room after the game. (32:40)
“I didn’t announce what I was doing on purpose, despite, I guess, what’s been leaked to the media,” Kelce told his brother. “I just don’t think you’re in a position after a game like that to really make that decision.”
“I just don’t,” he added. “There’s too much emotion in the moment, there’s too much going down in the moment to really fully grasp that decision. “I’m not trying to be dramatic and continue to draw this thing out.”
“When it’s time to officially announce what’s happening in the future, it’ll be done in a way that’s definitive and pays respect to a lot of people and individuals that have meant a lot to me and what has led to the career I’ve had, and I don’t think it would be respectful or even accurate to be able to do that right after a game like that,” Kelce continued.
The Eagles player admitted it was “frustrating” the way the season ended and said despite reports about what he told his teammates, he said it was “pretty much” the same thing he just said on the podcast.
“Which is I got belief in every single one of you guys, cherish the moments you have in this league … I think it’s kind of the way it went down,” Jason told his brother.
He pointed out that there were some who told him, “[if] that is your last game I feel sorry for you.” Kelce said he replied, “Don’t feel sorry for me motherf***ers. I’ve had a f***ing …” he then appeared to get emotional and trailed off.
The Philadelphia player also said he didn’t “know what the future holds for anybody in that building right now, we’re about to get into, I guess, what happens down the stretch but we have exit interviews tomorrow.”
The six-time All-Pro center was picked in the sixth round (No. 191 overall) by the Eagles in the 2011 NFL Draft by former Philadelphia head coach Andy Reid before Reid joined Kansas City in January 2013. The Philadelphia player helped lead the Eagles to a Super Bowl LII victory in 2018 against the New England Patriots.