The Philadelphia Eagles saw their season come to an end at the hands of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in their Wild Card matchup on Monday. And after the loss, Eagles fans are now wondering if it could be the final game that star center Jason Kelce ever suits up for.
Kelce has played for the Eagles for the entirety of his 13-year NFL career. Throughout the season, he has been very honest publicly about the end of his NFL career, saying that the end is “coming soon.”
Towards the end of the fourth quarter with the end result well in hand in the Buccaneers’ favor, Kelce was seen on the sidelines emotionally embracing his longtime offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland.
Is that it for Jason Kelce? pic.twitter.com/mV6I9PCLhn
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) January 16, 2024
Once the game was over, Kelce had a similarly emotional embrace with Eagles general manager Howie Roseman.
Jason Kelce was in tears leaving the field pic.twitter.com/cE93tY9hmf
— John Clark (@JClarkNBCS) January 16, 2024
It is obviously pure speculation at this point whether this game is indeed Kelce’s last in the NFL. But given his previous comments on his looming decision and his extra-emotional body language on the sidelines on Monday night, fans certainly seem to believe that this could indeed be it for him.
It’s easy to root against the Eagles but impossible to root against Jason Kelce.
Awesome dude and future hall of famer. 🫡
— Dylan Powell (@PowellAnalytics) January 16, 2024
If this is it for Jason Kelce, what a career. 💚
(🎥: @NFL)pic.twitter.com/b26DiGDJMq
— theScore (@theScore) January 16, 2024
I feel terribly for Jason Kelce.
He's a no doubt Hall of Famer and this would be a really awful way for him to go out, through no fault of his own.
— nick wright (@getnickwright) January 16, 2024
If this really is @JasonKelce’s last game, let it be known that he is one of the greatest #Eagles of all-time.
I’ll never forget his Super Bowl Parade speech. Forever an Eagle! 🦅#FlyEaglesFly #GoBirds #PhillyDawgs pic.twitter.com/khqAPX3lDr
— Philly Dawgs (@PHLDawgs) January 16, 2024
That’s rough. Sure looks like the end of a HOF career for Jason Kelce. pic.twitter.com/437rAFvCbD
— Alex Gold (@AlexGold) January 16, 2024
Jason Kelce might have just played his final NFL game. pic.twitter.com/kCfjAc5nSt
— Dave Zangaro (@DZangaroNBCS) January 16, 2024
It doesn’t seem like a decision will come from Kelce on his future after the game. According to Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer, he was not up for talking after the loss.
Jason Kelce kindly said he wasn’t up for talking. But his face said it all.
The #Eagles center, a future Hall of Famer, departing the locker room after maybe his last NFL game: pic.twitter.com/SC6ySnwPAg
— Jeff McLane (@Jeff_McLane) January 16, 2024
To echo the sentiments of fans everywhere, if this truly is it for Kelce then it has been one heck of a career with a potential trip to Canton in his future at some point in the somewhat near future.
