At least one member of the Eagles’ ‘Core Four’ will not be in place for the 2024 season. Center Jason Kelce informed his teammates after Monday night’s loss that he is retiring, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports. 
Retirement questions are nothing new for the 36-year-old, and his playing future was in the air leading up to Super Bowl LVII. Kelce wound up on the wrong side of that contest, but he announced one month later that he intended to return for at least one more campaign. A new contract was then worked out, and he played out the year at a slight raise compared to what he would have otherwise made.
That one-year, $14.25MM pact came with the understanding Kelce may very well retire at the end of the current season. The Eagles appeared to be on their way to another deep playoff run through much of the 2023 campaign, but things took a significant turn for the worse down the stretch. Counting Monday’s lopsided loss to Tampa Bay, Philadelphia closed out the season losing six of seven games, and changes in the lineup and potentially on the sidelines will be coming.
Regardless of the circumstances, Kelce’s decision to hang up his cleats will leave a massive vacancy in the middle of the team’s offensive line and in the locker room. As a rookie in 2011, the former sixth-rounder took on full-time starting duties and never relinquished them over the course of his 13-year career. All 193 regular season games he played in, along with 12 in the playoffs, came with Philadelphia. Kelce established a reputation as one of the best centers not only of his generation but of all time throughout his tenure.
The Cincinnati alum earned seven Pro Bowl nods, including one in each of the past five years. Kelce was also named first-team All-Pro a total of five times. Only four other centers have matched that feat, and each of them – Jim Otto, Bulldog Turner, Dermotti Dawson and Jim Ringo – are in the Hall of Fame. Kelce will no doubt join them in Canton after following through with his decision to hang up his cleats.
Kelce’s career comes to an end with not only a number of personal accolades but also team success. He was a key member of the Eagles’ 2017 Super Bowl-winning squad, and that remained the case for last season’s trip to another title game. Kelce delivered consistent performances over the course of his career, earning a PFF grade of 80.2 or higher eight times. His lengthy track record of success culminated in more than $85MM in career earnings.
Cam Jurgens – drafted last season as Kelce’s successor – will likely move to C in 2024 after starting full-time at right guard this season. That transition will be notable given the long stretch since anyone other than Kelce manned the position and the substantial expectations Jurgens will face as his replacement. Meanwhile, it will also be worth watching what fellow mainstays Lane Johnson, Fletcher Cox and Brandon Graham decide with respect to their playing futures.