Jason Kelce Says ‘There’s Too Much Emotion’ After Game to Make Retirement Decision: ‘Not Trying to Be Dramatic’ 

Jason Kelce gets candid about rumors that he will retire from the NFL.

The star center of the Philadelphia Eagles, 36, opened his New heights podcast with brother Travis Kelce about rumors that he informed teammates of his intentions to leave the league following the Eagles’ loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and elimination from the playoffs, which was originally reported by ESPN.

“I just don’t think you’re in a position after a game like that to really, you know, make a decision like that. You just don’t,” Jason said. “There’s too much emotion at this point. Too much is falling in the moment to really fully understand that decision.”

“I’m not trying to be dramatic to keep dragging this thing out,” he added. “I really didn’t.”

Jason Kelce tells teammates he’s retiring from NFL after 13 seasons with Philadelphia Eagles: Reports

While he wouldn’t confirm or deny expressing his intention to retire to his teammates, Jason did share some details about what was said after the game — a speech that many interpreted as a hint of retirement. “I turned to the team and almost said, ‘Me [believe] in each of you guys,” he recalled. “Cherish your moments in this league.’ ”

Jason Kelce #62 of the Philadelphia Eagles hugs head coach Nick Sirianni during the fourth quarter of an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on January 15, 2024 in Tampa, Florida.

Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images

“That’s kind of how it started. Lots of guys [said], ‘If this is your last game, I feel sorry for you’. Don’t feel sorry for me m———,” Jason said as he got emotional on the podcast and spoke for a moment to catch his breath. “Anyway, I really appreciated everything about that room, and I’d go to war with them any day of the week… Enjoy the time you have.”

He also talked about his special moment with Eagles coach Jeff Stoutland, when they hugged on the field. “I realized it might be one of the last times I do this with him, I just really want to make sure he knows how much I appreciate him,” Jason said. “I didn’t mean to get emotional, but what can you do.”

Despite what he said – and the fact that, as Jason noted, “people can sense body language and stuff” – the football pro noted that any decisions he makes about his future will be made in an official announcement.

“I think that when the time comes to officially announce what happens in the future, it will be done in a way that will be definitive,” he noted. “With respect to the individuals who meant a lot to me and who led to my career.”

Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce (62) walks off the field after an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Monday, Jan. 15, 2024, in Tampa, Florida. The Buccaneers won 32-9.

Perry Knotts via AP

Elsewhere in the podcast, Jason said there was “a lot of emotion” and he doesn’t know “what the future holds for anyone in the building right now.”

“And we’ll all be on the edge of our fucking seats to see what decision you make, boy,” Travis interjected.

In his final game with the Eagles, Kelce appeared visibly distraught as he left the field after Philadelphia’s frustrating 32-9 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the wild card game.

During the last game, Kelce hugged his longtime offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland. Then the father of three fought back tears and looked for his family, including wife Kylie Kelce and father Ed Kelce, in the stands.

Kelce looked visibly distraught as he left the field after Philadelphia’s frustrating 32-9 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the wild card game. The father of three fought back tears and looked for his family, including wife Kylie Kelce and father Ed Kelce, in the stands.

On Tuesday, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that Kelce plans to retire and informed his teammates of the decision in the locker room after Monday’s loss.

Jason Kelce on the possibility of playing his last NFL game tonight: ‘You never know when it’s going to be’

Kelce did not speak to the media after his last game, telling them, “No, guys, not today.” Kelce, the older brother of Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, has played his entire career with the Eagles since the team drafted him in 2011.

Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce (62) and Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) hug after the NFL football game between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Kansas City Chiefs on November 20, 2023 at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, MO .

Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty

The question of whether this would be Kelce’s last season in the NFL has dogged the star center all year after he openly — and emotionally — discussed the prospect of retiring from the game during the offseason.

The seven-time Pro Bowler and former Super Bowl champion broke down in tears as he discussed the impact of football on his body and his family life during a harrowing scene in his Kelce documentary on Prime Video.

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

“It’s getting harder and harder to play,” Jason said in a touching scene from the documentary released last September. “There were little things that aren’t big yet, but they’ll turn into big things the longer I play.”

“Every logical thing tells me I should stop playing football,” Jason says at one point in the film. “I must dismember my body.”

Kylie, 31, told in Kelce that she hopes her husband retires before he loses the ability to “play” with their daughters, Elliotte, 2, and Wyatt, 3, and Bennett Llewellyn Kelce, who was born just after Super Bowl LVII in 2023.

Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education