Earlier this week, Philadelphia Eagles legend Brandon Graham announced he would be coming out of retirement and return to Philadelphia for, at least, the rest of the season. This news came shortly after Z’Darius Smith, the Eagles’ sack leader, announced his retirement in the middle of the year, leaving a big hole at defensive end.

The news caused many Eagles fans to look towards another former Eagle, Jason Kelce, to see if he has any interest in coming out of retirement. Kelce won a Super Bowl with the Eagles back in 2018, but retired right before the 2024 season, and the Eagles went on to win another without him.

With the Eagles contending again in 2025, some were hoping he could return to the team, but he quickly shut those rumors down down.

Jason Kelce stands firm on his retirement

Towards the end of his NFL career, Jason Kelce and his brother, Travis, started their own “New Heights” podcast, where they talked about their experiences in the NFL. Their podcast quickly became one of, if not the, most popular sports podcast in the world, garnering over 3.1-million subscribers on YouTube and 4.9-million followers on TikTok to date.

It was on there that Travis asked Jason about possibly coming out of retirement with his long-time teammate, but Jason was very honest about his decision and why he will not be returning to the gridiron.

“There’s no considering. I am not coming out. It is a firm decision,” Jason said.

“Philly, the boss on X, responded to [Adam] Schefter breaking the news that [Brandon Graham] was coming back. It says, ‘Yo, [Jason Kelce], you busy?’ And you responded, ‘Very. I’m very busy.’ He’s got a lot going on. Too busy for football,” said Travis.

“Listen, if I wanted to, and I felt like I could, I would come back in a heartbeat,” Jason replied. “I mean, I think I sprained my calf jumping rope last year during the season. I knew my body can’t do this. Listen, I might be able to go out there, but now you’re a lean 265. More reason why I can’t play. Like you said, they could use you more than just at the offensive line. They could use you at tight end now. I would go out there, and my body would crumble if I tried to play football.”

“You just did an NFL workout the other day. You looked amazing,” said Travis.

“A three-hour workout. I did a three-hour workout without having to go hit anybody. That’s how long the average game is. I knew my body was done when it was done. And the moment I stopped that following year, I sprained my calf, jumping rope. I’m pulling pecs, trying to bench press. I don’t have it anymore. And I’m very comfortable admitting that.

“And more so the team doesn’t need me,” Jason continued. “They have Cam Jurgens, a great center, t have multiple depth players behind the center position at this point. They drafted a guy this year in Drew Kendall. And like, Brandon could go back and he can do 10 to 15 snaps a game and be a major contributor to the defense. I’m not going to go do practice. I’m going to f*** it. Like go anchor on bull rush of these guys, right? 80 plays. You’re f***ing out of your mind. There’s not a f***ing world. My body would break in half trying to do that dumb s*** anymore.”

I think it’s safe to say that Jason has no plans of returning to the football field. He’s already built a successful podcast and media career, and has a wife and four daughters to keep him busy.

Kelce reacts to Brandon Graham’s return

While Kelce quickly shutdown rumors of his return to the gridiron, he was very quick to congratulate his former teammate, Brandon Graham, on his decision to unretire.

Jason said that it’s very easy to go out on top after winning a Super Bowl, especially if you’re dealing with some injuries, but sometimes that itch to play just comes back. He’s glad that, no matter what happens this year – if he gets hurt or doesn’t play well – it won’t effect his legacy, and at least he’ll never say to himself, I wish I tried to play one more year.

“He’s officially back,” said Jason. “Yes, he’s back with the Philadelphia Eagles. He is on to, I guess, year 16. I mean, he’s the most tenured Eagle by far at this point.

“I’m just happy that Brandon’s doing what he wants to do,” Jason continued. “He wants to continue playing, and that opportunity’s there. And to be honest, I think the Eagles can use him in multiple ways, not just as a player, but his personality. He brings a lot to that locker room that I think will be awesome for him to be back out on the field with the Philadelphia Eagles.

“I think it feels right sometimes when you win a Super Bowl, you have some soft tissue things, and everybody wants what’s best for Brandon, right? It’s like, man, just go out on top. It’s such a great way to end your career. But at the end of the day, man, if you still want to play, you got to go play. Because you don’t want to look back in 10 years and be like, man, I really wish I would have done another season. I wish I would have been there with the guys for that following one.

“II don’t think anything that happens this year is going to erase the incredible career that he’s already had to date, right? Like, what’s the downside of this? He comes back, he gets injured. Injuries heal. You know what doesn’t heal? Having to live with the fact that you missed not playing anymore, right? And you wish you would have done another year.

“I’m happy for Brandon because I think this is the decision that he wanted to make. And he’s happy with it. And ultimately, I think it’ll be good for the Philadelphia Eagles. So love you, [Brandon Graham]. Happy to, that I get to selfishly watch you again in an Eagles jersey for at least one more year.”

The Eagles are getting a legend back to make another run at the Super Bowl with them. Fans may be upset we won’t ever see Jason Kelce back on the field, but he’s fully content with how his career went, and is on to life after football.