Jason Kelce sure looked on Monday like a player who may have played his last NFL game.
The Philadelphia Eagles center was emotional as his team trailed late in their eventual 32-9 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the Wild Card round of the NFL playoffs at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla.
Kelce was shown by ESPN’s cameras very emotional on the sideline as his team was losing.
Jason Kelce in tears after what may have been his last game in the NFL
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) January 16, 2024
Kelce was later shown saying thank you to fans in Eagles jerseys who had attended the road playoff game.
An emotional Jason Kelce finds his family in the stands postgame 💚 pic.twitter.com/nIJxKDHpxA
— NFL (@NFL) January 16, 2024
Kelce’s walk to the locker room was very emotional. He looked like a guy who might have been doing that for the last time.
It’s easy to root against the Eagles but impossible to root against Jason Kelce.
Awesome dude and future hall of famer. 🫡
— Dylan Powell (@PowellAnalytics) January 16, 2024
Kelce has played 13 seasons and has made seven Pro Bowls and five All-Pro teams. The 36-year-old has become even more highly regarded over the last half of his career, which is when he made all his All-Pro teams.
Kelce won a Super Bowl with the Eagles in the 2017 season and then reached another Super Bowl last season. He may have returned in 2023 for a shot to win a second Super Bowl ring. The decision was looking great as Philly began the season 10-1. But then the Eagles collapsed and lost six of their last seven games.
This definitely was not the way Kelce saw the season ending for the Eagles.