After announcing his retirement from the NFL earlier this month, Jason Kelce finds himself in the midst of a fierce bidding war among four major TV networks. The Philadelphia Eagles legend concluded his remarkable 13-year career, marked by numerous accolades including six first-team All-Pro selections and a Super Bowl victory in 2018.
Kelce bid an emotional farewell during his retirement press conference following the Eagles’ playoff loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. However, his departure from football doesn’t mark the end of his involvement in the sport, as top television networks vie for his services as a broadcaster for the upcoming season.
According to reports from The Athletic, ESPN, NBC, CBS, and Amazon Prime Video are all competing to secure Kelce for their broadcasting teams, with ESPN making an especially aggressive push. ESPN is eyeing Kelce for a role on its Monday Night Football coverage, potentially replacing former quarterback Robert Griffin III.
Kelce’s rise to prominence extends beyond his on-field achievements, notably through his popular “New Heights” podcast alongside his brother, Kansas City Chiefs star Travis Kelce. The brothers’ podcast success has elevated their status to mainstream celebrities, further amplifying Jason’s appeal to television networks.
While Kelce made a cameo in Amazon Prime Video’s Thursday Night Football coverage last season, ESPN believes his charisma and expertise would be best suited for the analysis panel rather than as a color commentator.
The news of Kelce’s broadcasting options coincides with pleas from new Eagles running back Saquon Barkley, who publicly urged Kelce to reconsider his retirement decision. Barkley expressed his excitement for joining the Eagles but subtly hinted at his desire for Kelce to return for another season, acknowledging Kelce’s admitted regret about not playing alongside him.
Despite the tempting offers and the Eagles’ promising outlook, Kelce remains resolute in his retirement decision, even amidst the persuasive pleas from players like Barkley. As Kelce transitions into the next chapter of his career, his impact both on and off the field continues to resonate within the NFL community.
