Jason Kelce is reportedly being pursued to join ESPN’s “Monday Night Football Countdown” crew following his retirement announcement earlier this month from the NFL.
Executives with knowledge told The Athletic that a shake-up is continuing for “MNF” pregame coverage after last year’s move to have Scott Van Pelt helm the show and bring in Robert Griffin III. The spot for RGIII, who’s already on the network’s “Get Up” show, is reportedly in jeopardy with the network reaching out to score Kelce. The Philadelphia Eagles center retired last month after 13 years in the league.
Retired Hall of Fame wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald’s spot on the “MNF” pregame coverage is reportedly also in limbo, after his contract has yet to be renewed, according to those with knowledge. Fitzgerald was reportedly informed that the network was waiting to see how the rest of its pregame lineup shapes up before finalizing his deal, the outlet noted.
Marcus Spears and Ryan Clark are expected to return to the pregame show alongside Pelt.
BREAKING: ESPN is aggressively pursuing legendary #Eagles center Jason Kelce to be apart of their Monday Night Football coverage.
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(Via The Athletic) pic.twitter.com/tlxIPI40Mf
— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) March 27, 2024
The popularity of Jason and his brother Kansas City Chiefs star Travis Kelce’s “New Heights” podcast has made Kelce someone media outlets are looking to bring on board. Kelce is not only reportedly being looked at by ESPN, but other networks as well. The All-Pro center is reportedly being pursued by CBS, Amazon Prime, and NBC, the outlet noted.
Based in New York, CBS might be a good possibility for the Philadelphia-based Kelce, with Boomer Esiason, Nate Burleson, Bill Cowher, and Phil Simms still unsigned for next year, the report noted. JJ Watt and James Brown are already signed on for the upcoming season.
Kelce’s retirement press conference last month at Eagles headquarters was an emotional one as he thanked his parents — whom he called his inspiration for being the best father he could be to his three young daughters with wife Kylie Kelce.
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“I am a product of my upbringing,” Kelce said. “I think one of the best things a person can be in this world is a father. A father who is present, loving, devoted, just might be the greatest gift a child could ask for in our society.”
“And I have a damn good one,” he added. “My father believed in me more than anyone. He believed in my brother and whenever my own insecurities would arise or self doubt would come in he would stifle them with the warm embrace of belief, unwavering love, and belief. … He was the man and continues to be the man and father I strive to be.”
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. In September 2022, the Kelce brothers launched their podcast, Forbes noted. In January, “New Heights” podcast was awarded the top podcast of the year at the iHeartPodcast Awards.