WASHINGTON — Jason Kelce is speaking out about the reports that he told teammates he intends to retire after 13 NFL seasons.
"I don't know what next year's gonna look like with the team and coaches, players," the Philadelphia Eagles center explained on Wednesday's episode of the “New Heights” podcast he co-hosts with his brother, Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce — boyfriend of pop star Taylor Swift. The brothers played each other last season in the Super Bowl that was won by the Chiefs.
Jason Kelce added that he was holding back on making an official decision until after the team's end-of-season exit interviews take place this week.
"I didn't announce what I was doing on purpose, despite I guess what's been leaked to the media," he said. The Associated Press, and multiple media outlets, reported Tuesday Kelce had told teammates he intends to retire.
"People can kind of feel body language and stuff," Jason acknowledged on the podcast.
"I just don't think you're in a position after a game like that to really make that decision. I just don't," he shared. "There's too much emotion in the moment, there's too much going down in the moment to really fully grasp that decision. I'm not trying to be dramatic and continue to draw this thing out. I'm really not. It's just something that I think, when it's time to officially announce what's happening in the future, it'll be done in a way that's definitive and pays respect to a lot of people and individuals that have meant a lot to me and what has led to the career I've had. And, you know, I don't think that it would be respectful or even accurate to be able to do that right after a game like that."
The 36-year-old Kelce has wavered on retirement over the last few seasons. Coach Nick Sirianni added to Kelce’s lore by shipping a keg of beer to the center’s home to entice him to return in 2022.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.