Is Jason Kelce retirement decision coming soon? How it affects Eagles’ entire offseason

Two years ago, Jason Kelce announced he was returning to the Eagles by tapping a keg of beer that head coach Nick Sirianni got for him as an incentive to not retire.

Last year, Kelce announced his return on an Instagram post, which he ended by saying, “Thank you to all my supporters and detractors for fueling me, I ain’t (expletive) done yet!”

So what will it be this year? An announcement in a Mummers costume? The luchador mask he wore at the Chiefs’ Super Bowl party? A shirtless dive onto a collapsible table.

In the previous two instances, Kelce made his decision on March 10 and March 13, respectively, just a few days before the start of the NFL’s new league year. That’s when teams have to be compliant with the salary cap, and when they can start pursuing free agents.

This year, the new season begins on March 13. Suffice it to say, the Eagles would like a decision sooner than that, perhaps by the time general manager Howie Roseman and staff head to the NFL scouting combine next week in Indianapolis.

After all, a Kelce decision will set off a chain reaction for the Eagles no matter what he decides. Here’s a look at how

The first reverberation will be felt on the Eagles’ offensive line.

If Kelce retires, then Cam Jurgens will replace him. The Eagles drafted Jurgens in the second round in 2022 − with Kelce’s blessing − to be Kelce’s heir apparent.

Kelce, however, played just about every snap at center since then, prolonging his franchise-record consecutive games started streak to 156. Jurgens played right guard in 2023. Jurgens can certainly move back to center, but he’s not at Kelce’s level (who is?), and the Eagles would have to replace Jurgens at right guard.

The Eagles prepared for that, drafting Tyler Steen in the third round last spring. But Steen was a tackle in college and had never played guard until arriving in Philadelphia

Steen started one game in place of Jurgens, who missed six games with various injuries. It didn’t go well as Sua Opeta finished out the season as Jurgens’ backup.

It’s possible that Steen will be able to man the position with a full offseason under his belt. If not, the Eagles might have to look at a free agent or bring back two of their own free agents in Opeta and/or Jack Driscoll.

It’s also possible that the Eagles will have to sign or draft a backup center if Jurgens is the starter. Landon Dickerson, whom the Eagles drafted in the second round in 2021 as a center, has played left guard in his three seasons. Dickerson was selected to the Pro Bowl in each of the last two seasons, so the Eagles clearly would like to keep him at left guard

But that creates another issue

If Kelce returns, then the offensive line, one of the best in the NFL, can stay as is.

But that creates another issue

If Kelce decides to return, the Eagles will have to get creative.

They’ll have to sign him to a new contract, with a raise from last season. But Kelce already counts $10 million for this season on the salary cap. A new deal will add at least a few more million to the cap. A signing bonus and voidable years would space out the cap hits to future years, but Kelce would likely still be on the Eagles’ salary cap until 2027 or 2028.