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How Jason Kelce will still help Eagles in retirement

Originally posted on ClutchPoints | By Andrew Meyers | Last updated 5/6/24

There will be a new center snapping the ball to Jalen Hurts this season for the Philadelphia Eagles, but that doesn’t mean longtime starter Jason Kelce won’t be around the team. The 13-year veteran who finished his career starting 167 consecutive games (including the postseason) retired in March after spending his entire NFL career with the Eagles.

As the Eagles prepare for their first season without Kelce since 2010, the future Hall of Famer has kept tabs on the team and was in the building during Philadelphia’s rookie minicamp last weekend. There he met rookie center Dylan McMahon, who the Eagles selected in the sixth round of this year’s draft.

McMahon has already drawn comparisons to Kelce from his frame alone. McMahon is considered undersized for his position and Kelce is the first player that comes to mind when an “undersized center” is brought up. The Eagles took McMahon with the 190th pick. Kelce was the 190th overall selection in the 2011 NFL Draft.

McMahon is not expected to start this season but he is a player that Philadelphia can develop, especially if Kelce is in the picture. Upon their initial meeting last Thursday, McMahon said that he exchanged numbers with Kelce and the ladder offered advice.

“We have that in common,” McMahon said, per Dave Zangaro. “And just talked a little bit about football and the guys I’ll be facing regularly in our division. He said just make sure you’re staying in the weight room. You can put good weight on you with your frame and your body. There’s places to put good weight on, weight and muscle.

“Just wished me good luck. Like I said, it was pretty surreal meeting him. He said he hopes to help me out in any way he can. So that will be pretty cool.”

Jason Kelce staying busy post-retirement

Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce (62) thanks the fans as he leaves the field after a 2024 NFC wild card game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

Although Jason Kelce will no longer be in uniform in 2024, he’ll still be plenty active in the NFL world. He is expected to sign a deal with ESPN to join their “Monday Night Countdown” crew this season. He of course has his podcast with Travis Kelce as well.

Even if it’s not a traditional coaching role or one with any label on it, Kelce will likely stay in touch with Eagles players and coaches and offer any insight they ask for. That doesn’t start and end with Dylan McMahon either, as Kelce was a vocal leader and one of the most respected players in the NFL.

“I don’t want to bug him. I’d do it every day if I could,” McMahon said. “But he’s got his own stuff going around. He gave me his number. If I ever have a question or anything, I may just hit him up. If he doesn’t reply, because I know he’s got a lot of stuff going on, hopefully he will eventually. As much as I can without bugging him, for sure.”

Eagles offensive line remains among the top

Despite losing Kelce, the Eagles expect to still have an undisputed top-five offensive line in 2024. It’s not easy to replace a six-time first-team All-Pro who was arguably at the top of his game, but general manager Howie Roseman has given the coaching staff plenty of options when it comes to shuffling the offensive line.

2022 second-round pick Cam Jurgens, who started 11 games for Philadelphia at right guard last season, is expected to shift over and replace Kelce as the starting center. Jurgens primarily played center in college and has a similar build to Kelce and McMahon. The Eagles anticipate a smooth transition back to the middle of the line for him.

With that, second-year pro Tyler Steen is expected to slot in as the Eagles’ starting right guard. The Alabama product made one start as a rookie. He played tackle in college so his transition to guard in the NFL will be one worth monitoring.

If Steen or Jurgens struggle, the Eagles might be forced to bring McMahon into the fold. Philadelphia’s offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland is considered one of the best in the sport. If anyone can get a sixth-round center ready for the bright lights of the NFL, it’s him.

Perhaps that’s the case for Dylan McMahon this season. If he turns into a viable starter in short order, the comparisons to Jason Kelce will only continue in the City of Brotherly Love.

This article first appeared on ClutchPoints and was syndicated with permission.

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