Jason Kelce Announces Retirement From The NFL After 13 Years

NFL star Jason Kelce has announced that he is retiring from the NFL. Despite lucrative broadcasting prospects and Super Bowl victories, Kelce expressed excitement and anxiety about life after football prior to his announcement.

He previously opened up about the uncertainty and emotional toll of transitioning from a beloved career, noting the allure of new opportunities but also the "daunting" unknown.

Kelce has finally revealed that he is retiring from the NFL during a press conference on Monday afternoon.

Earlier in the day, he hinted at a significant decision via X platform, mentioning the absence of "Keg videos" this year. He added at the time: "I have come to a decision and will address it at a press conference this afternoon" scheduled for 1 pm ET.

Speculation about Kelce's retirement emerged following the Philadelphia Eagles' playoff exit in January. Despite rumors about the future of his career, the Philadelphia Eagles' center remained tight-lipped, opting to focus on supporting his brother Travis during the postseason, culminating in the Kansas City Chiefs' Super Bowl victory last month.

Kelce boasts a remarkable 13-year tenure in the NFL since he was drafted by the Eagles in 2011. Notably, the 36-year-old clinched a Super Bowl victory with the Eagles in 2018, triumphing over the New England Patriots.

In an interview with Dana Carvey and David Spade on the "Superfly" podcast, Kelce hinted at potential retirement but kept the door open for a return to the Eagles, expressing uncertainty about his future.

He said: "I don't know. I'm trying to figure it out right now. Right now, exploring different opportunities if I end up retiring. Still working out and staying in shape if I end up playing again."

Beyond football, Kelce's burgeoning career in broadcasting appears promising, having already made waves with his "New Heights" podcast and guest appearances on Amazon's Thursday Night Football broadcast.

Reports also indicated that the NFL pro has engaged with networks like Fox and ESPN, exploring opportunities during Super Bowl week in Las Vegas. According to The Sun, numerous broadcasters are vying for Kelce's expertise, offering potential earnings of up to $5 million annually for his football analysis.

Despite the allure of lucrative opportunities, Kelce confessed to feeling apprehensive about life after football.

He expressed excitement and anxiety about the possibilities ahead, stating: "It's exciting to think about possibilities, it's exciting to be able to lose weight, feel good, and not have to physically fight for my life every day."

"It's also daunting. It's anxiety. At the end of the day, it's the unknown," he added, per the Daily Mail.

"People ask if you get nervous for games but the only games I get nervous for are the first time - you don't know what is in store. Ironically it makes you play better, it makes your senses alive. But that is kind of where it is at when you start thinking about retirement."

The NFL star reflected on the uncertainty of finding fulfillment and success in post-football endeavors.

Acknowledging the opportunities, he said: "It is exciting, the possibilities. All of us were fortunate, we can go in a lot of different areas. But that is also very nerve-wracking, you don't know what you are going to like until you are doing it. You don't know what you are going get fulfillment in until you are doing it, you don't know what you are going to be great at until you are doing it."

He noted the emotional toll of bidding farewell to a beloved career, stating: "All that stuff is also in the back of your head. No matter how you handle it, no matter who you are, how well prepared you are to enter the next stage, everybody goes through a level of depression."

"The end of one of the things you love most in your life is there, and you are going to have to come to grips with that," he added.