Jason Kelce is still hanging around Eagles training camp despite retiring earlier this year – and the Eagles legend has revealed his ‘selfish’ reason for doing so.
On a new episode of ‘New Heights’, Travis Kelce jokingly asked if his big brother had been utilized as a ‘punching bag’ in practice, but Jason explained how his presence around his old team was actually benefitting him.
‘Selfishly I wanna stay involved in the game,’ he said. ‘I get to talk to [Eagles offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland], Cam Jurgens is the new starting center.
‘I feel like the more connected you stay to the game, the better I’m gonna be for Monday Night Football selfishly.’
Jason, who is set to start a role with ESPN’s Monday Night Football next week, also mentioned that he has a locker in the staff portion of the Eagles’ building.
Jason Kelce is still spending time around the Eagles facility after retiring earlier this year
Kelce, seen last season on an Amazon Prime Video Thursday Night Football broadcast, is undertaking a new role with ESPN
However, he’s not working in an official capacity for the team, meaning that there’s apparently no conflict with his job as a broadcaster.
‘For me, I’m not accepting any money from the Eagles. I don’t have an official position. I’m really just going there out of pure interest on my own, to keep my knowledge base of the game up,’ he said.
‘And obviously I’ve built up a lot of relationships with the people around that building that I’m gonna help out in any way I can. But the reality is, that’s not my job.’
While Kelce’s presence around the Eagles is seemingly allowed by the NFL, Tom Brady’s start to life as a Fox NFL analyst has proved more difficult.
That’s because Brady is attempting to become a part-owner of the Las Vegas Raiders.
In a presentation given to team owners NFL meetings in Minneapolis last week, the league confirmed to ESPN that Brady will face a number of restrictions, including not being allowed in other team’s facilities or watching practice.
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He also wouldn’t be able to participate or attend in broadcast production meetings in any form.
Prior to games, a broadcast crew typically meets with head coaches and players from specific matchups and provide serious insight that is used on a telecast.
Kelce indicated he was potentially open to taking a formal role with the Eagles down the line, and GM Howie Roseman even told Kay Adams earlier this summer that he tried to recruit the former Philly star to be a scout.
For now, though, Jason is focused on his new TV role.
‘I have fun watching football and looking at guys… but I’m partly not accepting a position because I wanna be able to be honest as my assessment as an independent media member.’
His first assignment for ESPN will be next Monday as the Jets visit the 49ers.
