Philadelphia Eagles star heart Jason Kelce advised his teammates in Monday night time’s postgame locker room that he’s retiring, league sources advised ESPN.
Kelce, 36, was visibly emotional on the finish of the Eagles’ 32-9 wild-card playoff loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The six-time All-Professional and future Corridor of Famer has thought of retiring in latest seasons, however this time it should occur, based on sources.
Kelce declined to speak with reporters within the locker room after the sport, saying: “No guys, not at this time.”
“I really like him,” Eagles coach Nick Sirianni stated. “He is particular and I really like him. He is one of the vital particular guys I have been round. He is all the time received a spot right here.”
Kelce performed this season on a one-year contract and was set to grow to be a free agent in March.
A sixth-round draft choice in 2011, Kelce has performed his total 13-year profession with the Eagles and has been one of many key leaders for a group that has made six postseason appearances and two Tremendous Bowl journeys over the previous seven seasons.
“He is a legend within the metropolis — actually within the league,” Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts stated. “I do not wish to do a disservice to him and the issues he is been in a position to do and overcome. His journey to the place he’s now did not come simple. It has been a protracted, very long time coming for him, and yearly since I have been right here, it has been, ‘Are you going to come back again?’
“However he is aware of how a lot I really like and recognize him. He is aware of how a lot I’ve realized from him. He’ll ceaselessly have a particular place in my coronary heart.”
Eagles proper deal with Lane Johnson advised reporters that Kelce has “hinted” to teammates that this is able to be his last season.
“I really like him. He is among the best to ever play the sport,” Johnson stated. “The issues he can do on the soccer subject athletically — I do not assume we’ll see one other one like him for a very long time.”
Kelce is the fifth heart in NFL historical past with at the least six All-Professional picks. The opposite 4 — Jim Otto, Bulldog Turner, Dermontti Dawson, Jim Ringo — are all within the Professional Soccer Corridor of Fame.
ESPN’s Tim McManus contributed to this report.
