Jason Kelce may have hung up his cleats in March 2024 after 13 seasons anchoring the Philadelphia Eagles’ offensive line, but don’t think for a second that he’s stopped caring about the team-or the league. The former All-Pro center, who spent his entire career in midnight green, is still very much plugged into the NFL conversation. And this week, he had something to say about a scheduling quirk that’s raising eyebrows in Philly.
The Eagles, sitting at 9-5 and in the thick of the NFC East race, are set to take on the 4-10 Washington Commanders in Week 16. But it’s not just the matchup that’s catching attention-it’s the kickoff time.
Saturday. 5 p.m. Eastern.
Not exactly a traditional NFL window.
Kelce didn’t hold back when addressing the odd timing on his New Heights podcast, which he co-hosts with his brother, Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce.
“So that’s a five o’clock start, which is still a weird time for a football game,” Jason said. “I don’t know that I like a five o’clock.
One, four or eight, those are the time slots-we all know it. Stop f*cking with me, NFL.”
It's classic Kelce-blunt, honest, and speaking for a lot of fans who might be scratching their heads at a Saturday evening kickoff that doesn’t quite fit the usual NFL rhythm. While the league has increasingly experimented with scheduling in recent years-think Saturday triple-headers and Monday night flexes-Kelce’s comments tap into a broader sentiment: sometimes, less tinkering is more.
Beyond the scheduling gripe, there’s a lot riding on this Week 16 matchup. The Eagles can clinch the NFC East if they handle business against Washington and the Dallas Cowboys fall to the Los Angeles Chargers. That’s a big "if," but it’s not out of the question.
Philly, of course, enters this stretch as the defending Super Bowl champs, but it hasn’t been a smooth ride. Injuries, inconsistency, and some uncharacteristic lapses on both sides of the ball have made this season more of a grind than a glide.
Still, with Jalen Hurts under center and a playoff berth within reach, the Eagles have a chance to reset and refocus heading into January. Hurts, in particular, will be looking to close out the regular season strong and remind the league why he was an MVP finalist just a year ago.
Meanwhile, the Kelce family continues to stay in the spotlight-this time with Travis Kelce’s future making headlines. The Chiefs were eliminated from playoff contention last Sunday, a rare early exit for a team that’s become synonymous with postseason football. And with Travis set to hit free agency in 2026, speculation has swirled about whether this could be his final season.
Jason, speaking on ESPN, offered some thoughtful advice-not just as a brother, but as someone who just walked away from the game himself.
“I’m curious too,” he said. “In my opinion, to nail that decision, you’ve got to step away from the game for a little bit.
Play these last three games, enjoy them with your teammates, enjoy that with your coaches. The team’s going to be different whether you come back or not next year.
So, enjoy these last three games and then let it sink in. It’ll come to you with time.”
It’s the kind of perspective only a veteran like Jason can offer-someone who’s been through the emotional and physical toll of an NFL career and understands how hard it is to walk away, even when the signs are pointing in that direction.
As for Travis, he and the Chiefs still have business to take care of in Week 16 against the Tennessee Titans. And while the postseason is no longer in play, pride, legacy, and locker room bonds still matter. For a player of Travis Kelce’s caliber, every snap is an opportunity to leave a mark.
So whether it’s Jason weighing in on game times or Travis navigating the final stretch of a challenging season, the Kelce brothers remain at the heart of the NFL conversation. And with the playoffs looming, their voices-and their impact-aren’t going anywhere.