Philadelphia Eagles star center Jason Kelce told his teammates in the locker room after Monday night's game that he will retire, league sources told ESPN.
Kelce, 36, was visibly emotional at the end of the Eagles' 32-9 wild-card playoff game loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The six-time All-Pro and future Hall of Famer has considered retiring after other recent seasons, but this time it will happen, according to sources.
Kelce refused to speak to reporters in the locker room after the game, saying, “No guys, not today.”
“I love him,” Eagles coach Nick Sirianni said. “He's special and I love him. He's one of the most special guys I've ever been around. He always has a place here.”
Kelce played this season on a one-year contract and was set to become a free agent in March.
Kelce, a sixth-round draft pick in 2011, has played his entire 13-year career with the Eagles and has been one of the key leaders of a team that has made six postseason appearances and two trips to the Super Bowl in recent years. seven seasons.
“He's a legend in the city, really in the league,” Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts said. “I don't want to hurt him or the things he's been able to do and overcome. His journey to where he is now wasn't easy. It's been a long, long time for him, and every year since I've been here I've been told, 'Are you going? to come back?'
“But he knows how much I love and appreciate him. He knows how much I've learned from him. He will always have a special place in my heart.”
Eagles right tackle Lane Johnson told reporters that Kelce has “hinted” to his teammates that this would be his last season.
“I love him. He's one of the best to ever play the game,” Johnson said. “The things he can do athletically on the football field… I don't think we'll see another one like him for a long time.”
Kelce is the fifth center in NFL history with at least six All-Pro selections. The other four (Jim Otto, Bulldog Turner, Dermontti Dawson, Jim Ringo) are all in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
ESPN's Tim McManus contributed to this report.
