Jason Kelce retires: Where do Eagles go from here? Who replaces franchise legend on the field, in locker room?

PHILADELPHIA — Jason Kelce is walking away from the NFL after 13 seasons as he announced his retirement Monday, but not before establishing himself on the Mount Rushmore of Philadelphia Eagles history. Kelce earned six First-Team All-Pro selections, tied with Chuck Bednarik and Reggie White for the most by a player in Eagles history, and is only one of two centers to be named a First Team All-Pro six times since the 1970 merger (joining Dermontti Dawson). 

The only center to earn six First-Team All-Pro honors and win a Super Bowl title, Kelce will be nearly impossible to replace. His leadership is unmatched, going with his dominant play on the field. He didn’t miss many games, setting a franchise record with 156 consecutive games started, and his 193 starts are the most in franchise history. 

Kelce earned all six of his First Team All-Pro selections in his 30s, the most ever by any player in his 30s (Jerry Rice and Bruce Smith are second with five). He went out at the top of his game, earning three First Team All-Pro honors in his final three seasons. Kelce and Dwight Stephenson are the only two players in the Super Bowl era to earn three consecutive First Team All-Pro and Pro Bowl selections in each of their final three seasons.

A larger-than-life figure in Philadelphia, Kelce will be difficult to replace. Fortunately for the Eagles, Kelce picked his in-house replacement two years ago. 

Kelce’s replacement at center already on team

Cam Jurgens was drafted in the second round of the 2022 draft to be the heir apparent to Kelce at center. Kelce actually hand-picked Jurgens to be his long-term replacement when he was asked to evaluate centers prior to the 2022 draft, and Jurgens was the player he liked the most. Kelce said Jurgens had a chance to be a “difference-maker” at center.

Jurgens had essentially a redshirt 2022 season to learn from Kelce before becoming the right guard in…

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Author : Jeff Kerr

Publish date : 2024-03-04 21:38:24

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