“If I End Up Retiring…” – Jason Kelce Navigates the Contrasts Between Retirement & NFL Life

Ahead of the 2024 NFL season, fans wonder if they’ll see the Philadelphia Eagles’ loyal center on the gridiron again. Jason Kelce has spent 13 seasons in the league and won one Super Bowl title under his belt. But the center might be on the brink of making a major decision about his career.  

After retirement rumors doing the rounds, Kelce is still undecided about his future in football. In a recent conversation on the Superfly with Dana Carvey and David Spade podcast, the older Kelce brother opened up about his plans if he hangs up the cleats. As for the time being, the Eagles’ star said that he’s “trying to figure it out right now” and “exploring different opportunities if I end up retiring.”

Jason Kelce plans on keeping in shape

The podcast hosts discussed Kelce’s possibility of retiring from the NFL. Host Dana Carvey talked about the “adrenaline rush” and “camaraderie” that the retired athletes miss post-retirement. He asked Kelce if he plans to “go to the movies” or continue in the Eagles. Kelce maintained that he was undecided about retirement, but the center will want to be in good physical form if he does. “If I end up retiring, still working out and staying in shape.”

Kelce further shared the ideas he’s heard from former players and how the main thing that plagues athletes is the lack of excitement. Football is dynamic, and the players miss the adrenaline rush post-retirement.

“That’s what I’ve heard from all the former players is, you know, when you’re playing, it’s like this every week,” Kelce said. “It’s oh we just won, oh we just got our a** kicked, oh we just we’re in the playoffs, oh we’re out like, it’s-it’s-very much that’s the life you’re in, and it’s play-by-play like that as well and, all these guys when they get done. It’s like, man, you’re just kind of here, man, you very rarely get these peaks, and you got to find a way to kind of get that as much, man.”

Jason Kelce’s retirement rumors started after the playoff loss

According to ESPN, Kelce confessed his thoughts on hanging up his cleats after the Philadelphia Eagles lost to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 2023 playoffs. The center was seen leaving the field teary-eyed and heartbroken. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Kelce told his teammates about his plans to step off the field.

Since then, Kelce has been spending time with his daughters and busy supporting his brother, Travis, in the Chiefs’ win at the Super Bowl. In Chris Long’s podcast, the center admitted that retirement seems “exciting” but “daunting.” Kelce said the idea is exciting because it will allow him to relax and focus on himself. However, the decision is also scary, an unexplored arena for a player.

“It is exciting to think about possibilities. It is exciting to be able to lose weight, feel good, and not physically fight for my life every day,” Jason said. “I think it is also daunting. It is anxiety, and at the end of the day, it is the unknown.” 

 Seeing the Eagles’ center enter a new phase of his life will be exciting. We can expect Kelce to continue in Philadelphia, stay at home with his family, become a coach, or star on television as a sports host. The options are endless!

Read More: Jason Kelce Reckons ‘Tom Brady Will Be Welcomed Back to NFL’ Amidst Retirement Contemplation