Jason Kelce has been urged to reverse his decision to retire by new Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley – and he has also been warned against taking a TV role
Jason Kelce has been urged to reject a tempting TV role amid speculations about his return to the Philadelphia Eagles.
Having recently decided to retire from the NFL in an emotional press conference, Kelce has already been asked to return to the Eagles. Saquon Barkley, who has just joined the Philadelphia franchise from the New York Giants, wants to play alongside Kelce.
This is happening while several broadcasters are fighting for his on-screen talents, as he’s now free to sign up with new organisations. Kelce is one of American football’s most popular stars and hosts the ‘New Heights’ podcast with brother Travis.
That’s why ESPN, NBC, CBS, and Amazon Prime Video all want to get Kelce as a broadcaster for the 2024 NFL season, according to The Athletic. The former centre did a stint with Amazon Prime last season during the Eagles’ bye week, but ESPN is striving hard not to let their major rivals nab him. Yet, former ESPN worker Dan Patrick has counselled Kelce against accepting any position at his former company.
With a career spanning various prominent roles in sports broadcasting including 18 years at ESPN, Patrick currently hosts The Dan Patrick Show on Premiere Radio Networks, streamed on Peacock, and used to co-present NBC’s Football Night in America.
The 66-year-old, who knows a lot about the business, has warned Kelce to be careful with any offers from ESPN. “You have to be ready for what they are going to ask you to do,” Patrick said on his show. “You don’t just come in and do Monday Night Countdown. There’s so much more they’ll ask you to do.
“It’s called the car wash for a reason. You go in and you’ll be on this show and this show and this show and this show. You’re at their demand.”
Saquon Barkley has already tried to tempt Kelce to return to the Philadelphia Eagles ( Image: GETTY IMAGES)
Patrick thinks Kelce is good at sharing his thoughts and told him to remember how popular he is. “I wouldn’t advise him to go there because I think he’s a unique voice right now, and I would want to have one place where I could hear him,” Patrick added.
Kelce is looking forward to a summer without football for the first time in 13 years and might not make any quick decisions. His podcast ‘New Heights’ is also important and will be part of any talks. But Barkley hopes Kelce will play one more season.
Barkley voiced his excitement about the coming season on ‘New Heights’ and his hopes that Kelce would continue playing for the Eagles. “I’m like a kid in a candy store. I’m happy. I got a fresh start. I can’t wait to meet everybody and just go out there and play ball,” said Barkley on his move to Philadelphia.
Kelce agreed that the new season would be fun to watch, to which Barkley replied: “You don’t gotta watch it, you know.”
The football community doesn’t expect Kelce to change his mind, and he will leave a significant space in the Eagles’ team.
