Report: Monday Night Football ‘aggressively pursuing’ Jason Kelce for Monday Night Countdown

ESPN’s Monday Night Football is reportedly “aggressively pursuing” retired Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce, according to The Athletic’s Andrew Marchand.

“ESPN is planning another Monday Night Football pregame shake-up, according to executives with knowledge of the network’s plans,” Marchand wrote. “A year after a complete makeover of the set under the stewardship of Scott Van Pelt, Robert Griffin III’s spot is in jeopardy, while the network is aggressively pursuing retired Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce for Monday nights.”

ESPN is not the lone network to have interest in the popular longtime center. NBC, CBS and Amazon Prime Video reportedly have interest.

Kelce is the top target in general, in terms of media talent. Marchand reported Bill Belichick drew interest from ESPN as well.

“While ESPN continues to pursue Bill Belichick, Belichick has told networks he is disinclined to be part of a regular studio show, according to officials briefed on the talks,” Marchand wrote. “ESPN could combine with Peyton Manning’s Omaha Productions and NFL Films to secure the legendary coach for a broadcasting role.

“While Belichick is sought after, Kelce’s decision is viewed as the linchpin of the NFL TV free-agent season. CBS has several openings on The NFL Today with Nate Burleson, Bill Cowher, Boomer Esiason and Phil Simms unsigned for next year. James Brown and JJ Watt are inked for the upcoming season, though Watt may continue as a part-timer.”

When Scott Van Pelt was thrusted into the Monday Night Countdown role, it was hastily put together amid layoffs at ESPN. Now, Van Pelt could get Kelce to join him this coming season.

Kelce hosts the New Heights Podcast with brother Travis Kelce. It is one of the most listened to and downloaded podcasts in general.

Kelce put together a decorated career for the Eagles after they selected him in the sixth round of the 2011 NFL Draft out of Cincinnati. He became a six-time All-Pro selection and a seven-time Pro Bowler as a key part of the Philadelphia offensive line and he seemed to get better and better with age.

Joining the Eagles’ offensive line as a rookie pushing an incumbent starter, Kelce won the job during his first preseason. He went on to become the first rookie in Eagles history to start all 16 games at center. Partial MCL and ACL tears in 2012 knocked him out for most of his second year but he returned to start all 16 games in 2013.

After earning All-Pro First Team honors in 2017, Kelce helped the Eagles clinch a victory in Super Bowl LII, defeating the New England Patriots 41–33. It took several seasons but he made it back to the Super Bowl with Philadelphia in 2022, but lost to the Kansas City Chiefs, and his brother Travis. He toyed with retirement after that loss but opted to return for another chance at the Lombardi Trophy in 2023.