Jason Kelce is calling timeout on any big decisions.
Despite rumors suggesting the Philadelphia Eagles player was going to announce his retirement at the end of the team's season—which came to a close after their wild card loss to the Tampa Buccaneers on Jan. 15—Jason didn't share his decision publicly after the loss. Now, the 36-year-old is providing insight on why he felt it wasn't the appropriate moment.
"When it's time to officially announce what's happening in the future," he told brother Travis Kelce during the Jan. 17 episode of their New Heights podcast, "it'll be done in a way that's definitive and pays respect to a lot of people and individuals that have meant a lot to me and what has led to the career I've had."
He added, "I don't think that it would be respectful or even accurate to be able to do that right after a game like that. Frustrated at everything that's happening. But in the future, there'll be something said, I guess."
He also provided insight onto what he shared privately with his teammates after their game, a conversation which many outlets reported as including a retirement announcement to the team.
"I did address the team," Jason told his brother, "and pretty much said that, ‘I got belief in every single one of you guys, cherish the moments you have in this league.' You know, either way, I truly appreciated everybody in that room, I'd go to war with them any day of the week. I think there was a lot of emotion in the room for sure."
As he noted, "I don't know what the future holds for anybody in that building, right now."
After the season-ending game, Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni told reporters of Jason, "[Jason's] special and I love him. He's one of the most special guys I've been around. He's always got a place here."
But while Jason is waiting to make any future plans until he takes stock of his emotions, there is one person who knows exactly when she hopes he retires: his wife Kylie, with whom he shares daughters Wyatt, 4, Elliotte, 2, and Bennett, 10 months.
"I always tell people that no matter what happens with football, how it ends," Kylie said in the Kelce documentary, "I would like him to retire when he's still able to get down on the floor and play with our kids comfortably."
Keep reading for some of the family of five's cutest moments over the years.
Love at First Sight
Total Touchdown
After tying the knot in 2018, Kylie reflected on celebrating the wins in life alongside her now-husband.
"This off-season was my favorite yet," she wrote in a social media post that July. "It was short but oh so sweet. I am so incredibly proud to call this man my husband, and I can’t wait to watch his hard work and dedication through another season."
Baby on Board
By October 2019, the couple expanded their family, welcoming baby Wyatt into the world.
Family of Four
Two years later, their second daughter Elliotte, joined her big sister.
Party of Five
Just one year later, Kylie shared that "another Kelce lady" would be added to the bunch with an adorable set of photos.
Baby Bennett
In February 2023, the couple welcomed their third child, with her arrival coming nearly two weeks after Jason faced off against brother Travis at the 2023 Super Bowl.
Golden Girls
The NFL star shared a glimpse at his oldest daughters holding a huge prize in May 2023, writing on Instagram, "Never in a million years did I think I’d hold the Larry O’Brien trophy, let alone that it would be in my house!! Unbelievable honor to see it in person. The size is incredible, looks so small when NBA players are holding it, but it’s actually massive!! The girls were very interested in it."
Perfect Teammates
The couple shared a look at the family of five while on the field that August, joking in a joint Instagram post, "Here for the Rita’s and obstacle courses with dad after practice."