PHILADELPHIA – Philadelphia Eagles All-Pro center Jason Kelce has announced that he will return for an 11th season and restructured his contract for 2021.
Kelce has been thinking about retiring for the past few seasons, but has decided to play for at least another year, although the Eagles are going through a transition period.
The redesigned deal contains $ 9 million in guarantees and could be worth up to $ 12 million, a source told ESPN. Although the contract takes several years, it will essentially function as a one-year contract and offers relief from the Philadelphia ceiling for 2021.
“I’m very excited to be able to go back and play for the Eagles again,” said Kelce, via the team’s website. “I always said that I will play until I can no longer play and I still have a very strong desire to play football. I still want to play. I still want to be close to the boys. I want to be around the building, around the buses. I still like that aspect and I’m not ready to stop doing it yet. I’m excited about a lot of energy going around right now, and also, I didn’t want to end my career in a season like last year. I wouldn’t feel right.
“I want to leave the Eagles knowing that I left them in good hands.”
Philadelphia entered this week projected to be approximately $ 40 million over the limit. He also reworked the cornerback contract Darius Slay, a source confirmed to ESPN, who is said to release about $ 9 million.
Further restructuring is coming, with tackle Lane Johnson and defensive tip Brandon Graham among potential candidates.
Kelce’s return is important for new Eagles coach Nick Sirianni, who took charge of a team that was 4-11-1 last season and was hit hard by injuries. Kelce was the only constant in an offensive line that had an NFL record of 13 different groupings in the first 14 weeks.
He quietly put together a resume worthy of consideration at the Hall of Fame. Kelce is a first team All Pro three times and has made the Pro Bowl four times while serving as a team leader, including during the 2017 Philadelphia Championship.
“I’m having fun and as long as I’m having fun and feeling like I’m playing at the level I want, I’m going to keep playing,” said Kelce. “I look forward to seeing what awaits us.”
The NFL Network first reported the details of Kelce’s revamped contract.