Jason Kelce reportedly turned his time in Las Vegas for Super Bowl 2024 into a productive trip for planning his next step after retirement — whenever that ends up happening.
The Eagles center met with ESPN and Fox while “making the rounds” and learning more about initial television options, according to Front Office Sports, while Amazon, NBC and CBS also might express interest in Kelce eventually.
He could become a popular option for networks to pursue after his NFL career ends.
Retirement rumors — and then reports — started to surface following the Eagles’ postseason exit in the wild-card round, with ESPN reporting Jan. 16 that Kelce informed teammates of his decision in the locker room following the season-ending loss.
But Kelce pushed back against rumors later in the week and said he needed time before making a final decision.
“I didn’t announce what I was doing on purpose, despite, I guess, what’s been leaked to the media,” Jason said on an episode of the “New Heights” podcast, which he hosts with Travis. “I just don’t think you’re in a position after a game like that to really make that decision, I just don’t, there’s too much emotion in the moment, there’s too much going down in the moment to really fully grasp that decision.”
During that time, Kelce, who earned his fourth first-team All-Pro honor this year, continued hosting the popular podcast with Travis and became a regular — along with Taylor Swift — in the family suite at the Chiefs’ postseason games in Buffalo and Baltimore.
Kelce, 36, went viral for his shirtless touchdown celebration after his brother scored during Kansas City’s win against the Bills, while he also chugged a drink out of a bowling ball in an appearance at a Bills tailgate pregame.
“It was incredible,” Jason said during the next installment of their podcast. “I mean, honestly, one of the most fun experiences I’ve ever had from start to finish.”
It didn’t add any clarity to his NFL future, though.
When asked about his brother’s possible retirement this week, Travis Kelce told 11-year-old reporter Jeremiah Fennell that he thinks it’s “still up in the air.”
But regardless of whether Kelce retires this offseason or returns for another year — or two, or three — with the Eagles, he already got a taste of broadcasting this season with an appearance on Prime Video’s “Thursday Night Football” pregame show.
He joked about his appearance in People’s “Sexiest Man Alive” list before later joining Al Michaels and Kirk Herbstreit as the Panthers faced the Bears.
“Listen, I don’t know how this all happened, but it’s honestly just another day,” Kelce said on the pregame show. “My wife tells me all the time I’m the sexiest man in the world, so I’ve been wondering what’s been taking so long for this nomination to happen.
“It’s been a whirlwind, it’s been fun. It’s a win for plus-size bearded men all over.”