Jason Kelce ‘will always have a place’ at the Eagles, Philly head coach Nick Sirianni said after Monday’s loss to the Bucs. According to reports on Tuesday morning, Kelce is set to retire at the age of 36, and Sirianni alluded to that possibility in Tampa.
‘I love him. Yeah, obviously we´re not there at that position yet, ready to talk about that, but he´s special and I love him,’ Sirianni said after the game. ‘He´s one of the most special guys I´ve been around. He´s always got a place here and always want him to play.’ Kelce did not speak with reporters after the game.
A six-time All-Pro as of last week, the center spent his entire career in Philly and helped the team win the Super Bowl over the Patriots in 2018. And Sirianni could be joining him in leaving the team. The coach has compiled a 34-17 record in three seasons and brought the team to the Super Bowl last year, but the Eagles lost five of their final six regular season games this year before their early playoff exit.
Asked about his job security on Monday night, he said, ‘I’m not thinking about that. ‘I’m thinking about the guys. All the guys in that locker room, every single one of them, they put their heart and soul into this. ‘I’m not worried about me. As the head coach, I’m just trying to be there for our guys and our staff right now through a tough time.’
Kelce walked over to see his wife, Kylie, and father, Ed, in emotional scenes in Tampa Bay
Sirianni’s NFC East rival Mike McCarthy could also be in hot water after the Cowboys lost at home to the Packers in the first round. And with Mike Vrabel and Bill Belichick both out of their former jobs with the Titans and Patriots respectively, the Eagles could certainly have options to replace Sirianni with if they choose to cut ties.
Nonetheless, if this is it for Kelce, he will truly be missed in Philly after a career that is sure to land him in the Hall of Fame. Fans flooded X with tributes on Tuesday morning, with one calling him the ‘Eagle of the century.’
