- Mailata and Kelce played together on the Eagles’ offensive line for six years
- Kelce has yet to publicly announce his football future after the Eagles season
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Philadelphia Eagles offensive lineman Jordan Mailata believes ‘there is no chance’ Jason Kelce will play for the team next season.
Mailata did not speak to Kelce who played for another team in 2024 because the contract expires in March.
However, based on Kelce’s recent actions, Mailata gives the impression that Kelce’s retirement from football would be his only other option if he doesn’t return to the Eagles.
Kelce has met with ESPN, Fox Sports and Amazon about a possible broadcasting career, per NBC Sports.
After Philadelphia’s Wild Card Round loss to the Buccaneers last month, Kelce reportedly told teammates in the locker room that he was retiring, which he refuted. Kelce has not made a statement regarding his football future since the end of the season with the Eagles.
Over the past eighteen months, Kelce has gone from offensive lineman to a beloved public figure
Mailata has played with Kelce his entire career and will ‘miss’ him if he doesn’t play in 2024
Kelce looked dejected and tearful after the 32-9 postseason loss to Tampa Bay. Kelce’s brother spent a moment with his family in the stands before slowly making his way into privacy.
The 36-year-old’s most recent public appearances were at his younger brother, Travis Kelce’s, playoff games, where he wildly celebrated the successes of the Kansas City Chiefs, as well as the Pro Bowl Games.
The elder Kelce went shirtless and drank beer with fans in Buffalo and at the Super Bowl, and partied late into the morning with the Chiefs wearing a Mexican wrestling mask.
“There’s no chance,” Mailata said NBC Sports Philadelphia. “You’re telling me he takes off his shirts during the games, gambles in the casinos and comes back? Not really. He’s having too much fun.’
“He’s living his life out there. And I’m definitely going to miss him, man,” Mailata added. “These have definitely been the best six years of my life being here in the NFL and getting to know people like Jason Kelce.”
The Kelce-led Eagles offensive line has been a strong team in recent seasons
The Kelce brothers have a close relationship and discussing such serious matters as their retirement would be a heavily protected secret.
Neither Kelce has set a timeline for when the offensive lineman plans to announce his future plans.
The elder Kelce’s celebrity status has skyrocketed in the past year thanks to the Kelce brothers’ podcast, “New Heights,” and playing for his brother’s Chiefs in last year’s Super Bowl.
Travis dating 14-time Grammy Award winner Taylor Swift skyrocketed his mainstream popularity. Being attached to Swift has put a huge spotlight on all things Kelce family.