The Return: Jason Kelce suggests he’s coming back for his 14th NFL season

Almost immediately after the Philadelphia Eagles lost in the Wildcard round to Tampa Bay, it was reported that Jason Kelce told teammates that he was planning to retire this offseason. Then immediately after that, Kelce denied the reports, stating that he still had a lot of thinking to do before making that decision.

We’re now a little over two weeks removed from the end of the Eagles season, and it appears Jason Kelce might suit up for one final rodeo in 2024. Following Travis Kelce and the Chiefs win in the AFC Championship, Jason caught up with the Philadelphia Inquirer’s Olivia Reiner.

He didn’t flat out say he’ll be back next year, but it’s pretty easy to read between the lines here.

Jason Kelce on retirement:

“As a Philadelphia Eagle, incredibly disappointing season, especially at the end of it. And I really look forward to trying to prove people wrong, especially with some of the recent hires and Nick Sirianni. And there’s a lot of things up in the air for the Philadelphia Eagles. But I think that, as a player, you always look forward to go into battle with your guys.

I don’t know what’s going to happen for me. But I do know, I still want to be involved in the organization and still want to be a part of it, regardless of what the decision is. Because I don’t want to ever feel like I’m on the outside looking in on these achievements and these accolades and these opportunities that largely represent entire cities and fan bases and organizations. It’s too good a feeling to pass up.”

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Again, Jason Kelce does make it sound like there’s still some thinking to do, but the fact that he’s already leaning towards coming back says it all. He’s flirting with the idea of coming back for his 14th season; I doubt he’ll back track on those thoughts.

Aside from these comments, there are a few reasons to think Kelce will come back. For starters, 2023 turned out to be a disaster for the Eagles, and leaving the game on that bad of a note just doesn’t feel right. Secondly, he’s been in attendance for all of his brother’s postseason games after the Eagles were eliminated. And as we all saw last weekend, he still thrives in that postseason atmosphere and the energy during those high stakes moments is clearly something he enjoys.

And then we have his motivational words to Travis after Sunday’s victory, where you can just feel his emotion.

An emotional conversation between Jason and Travis Kelce.
“You’re the best in the world.” pic.twitter.com/dmFysRO1ak

— James Palmer (@JamesPalmerTV) January 28, 2024

It just feels like Jason Kelce still has more to give. I wouldn’t knock him for hanging up the cleats, he’s already given enough to this fanbase and city. But I don’t know if he believes he’s given enough, and that alone could persuade him to return.