The Philadelphia Eagles‘ 2023 season did not end the way their veteran Jason Kelce would’ve hoped. He signed a 1-year deal with the Eagles last off-season in hopes of helping them win a Super Bowl. But this time, they didn’t even get close. As a result, he is contemplating retiring from the sport. Amidst this, the star center opens up about potentially taking a coaching job if he retires from the NFL.
During Jason Kelce’s recent appearance in The Big Podcast with Shaq, the NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal asked Kelce whether he would accept a coaching job after retirement. Shaq asked Kelce whether he would accept a coaching job at the high school level, college level, or NFL level. The Eagles center said he would not coach at the college level since it needs a lot of commitment.
NFL that’s a big time commitment, college no, not interested. It’s too much because you got to recruit, you got to coach, you’ll never be with your family. Jason Kelce said
While further explaining his point, Jason Kelce claimed that the NFL or high school would be the best coaching job. Kelce said the NFL makes the most sense for him financially.
I feel like the best two levels of coaching is high school where you get to develop kids and really form them, and help them grow into men and offer that guidance, and the NFL you get to compete at the highest level. It’s still a time commitment in the NFL but that’s where financially it kind of makes sense. Jason Kelce said
Asked on the @SHAQ podcast if he'd coach in high school, @JasonKelce said, "If it was the #1 school in Philadelphia, I might take it." It sounds like someone at @SJPREP @SJPrep_Football needs to make a call for a new member of the coaching staff! pic.twitter.com/P8GYytHSH4
— Patrick Carney (@patrickacarney) February 14, 2024
Besides, the Eagles’ All-Pro center also said that he would only take a high school job in Philadelphia since he doesn’t want to move away from his family. Kelce joked that he couldn’t manage anything without the help of his in-laws, who take care of his kids.
Jason Kelce still figuring out whether or not to retire
Last month, reports broke about Jason Kelce retiring from the sport after a 13-year run. However, the Eagles center refuted the reports and said he hasn’t made a retirement decision yet.
And now, during a recent episode of The Big Podcast with Shaq, Kelce claimed he will have the answer about his future in a couple of weeks. Kelce reportedly hasn’t made a decision and is still figuring it out.
Shaq gives Jason Kelce some advice on retirement 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/2wZHC5pYR7
— The Big Podcast (@bigpodwithshaq) February 17, 2024
Kelce was one of the best players for the Eagles last season; losing him could prove costly for them. So, the Philadelphia-based football team would look to bring back Kelce in a one-year deal similar to what they offered him last off-season.