Could Jason Kelce Be the Answer to the Eagles’ Offensive Struggles? Troy Aikman Thinks So
The Philadelphia Eagles are in a tough spot. After a 22-19 overtime loss to the Chargers, the team has now dropped three straight games, slipping to 8-5 on the season.
Injuries have piled up, particularly along the offensive line, and the protection issues are starting to show. During Monday night’s broadcast, Hall of Famer Troy Aikman floated an intriguing idea-one that Eagles fans might not have expected to hear again: bring Jason Kelce out of retirement.
“Maybe the Eagles, with these banged-up interior offensive linemen, could call on our friend, 38-year-old Jason Kelce,” play-by-play announcer Joe Buck said during the telecast.
Aikman didn’t hesitate. “I wouldn't be surprised if they haven't already at some point this year, even last year,” he said.
“I think I’d be knocking on his door every week to try to get him to come back. He could still do it.”
It wasn’t just a throwaway comment. There was a genuine sense that Aikman believes Kelce still has the physical tools and the football IQ to make a difference-especially for a team that’s struggling to find consistency up front. And if anyone would know what it takes to anchor an offense deep into a career, it’s Aikman, who spent years behind some of the best lines in NFL history.
Kelce, of course, is no ordinary former player. Drafted 191st overall back in 2011, he became a cornerstone of the Eagles franchise, playing all 13 of his NFL seasons in Philadelphia.
He racked up 193 games and logged over 12,000 offensive snaps-an ironman resume that speaks volumes about his durability and leadership. He was the engine of the offensive line, a tone-setter both in the locker room and on the field.
He officially retired in March 2024, just weeks after the Eagles fell to the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LVII-his second Super Bowl appearance. It was an emotional farewell, the end of a remarkable run that included a Super Bowl title and countless All-Pro honors. But if Aikman’s comments are any indication, there’s a belief that Kelce’s story might not be completely written just yet.
Joe Buck even pointed to a recent example that makes the idea a little less far-fetched. Defensive end Brandon Graham unretired in October to rejoin the team after injuries hit the defensive front. Could Kelce follow a similar path, stepping back in to stabilize an offensive line that’s been hit hard by attrition?
There’s no official word from Kelce, and there hasn’t been any public indication that he’s considering a return. But the fact that respected voices like Aikman are even entertaining the idea says something about the current state of the Eagles-and just how much they could use a steady hand in the trenches.
At 8-5, the Eagles are still very much in the playoff picture, but the margin for error is shrinking fast. The offense, once a strength, now looks out of sync.
The interior line play has been inconsistent, and it’s affecting both the run game and pass protection. A player like Kelce, even in a limited role, could bring a calming presence and a level of execution that’s been missing during this skid.
It’s a long shot, sure. But in a season where the unexpected has become the norm, don’t count anything out-especially when it comes to a player who’s meant so much to this franchise.