PHILADELPHIA – Philadelphia Eagles All-Pro center Jason Kelce has announced he will return for an 11th season and has restructured his 2021 contract.
Kelce has considered retiring for the past several seasons, but has decided to play for at least another year, even though the Eagles are going through a transition period.
The reworked deal includes $ 9 million in guarantees and could go up to $ 12 million, a source told ESPN. While the contract has several years, it will essentially function as a one-year deal, offering Philadelphia ceiling lighting for 2021.
“I’m really excited to be able to come back and play for the Eagles again,” said Kelce via the team’s website. “I’ve always said I play until I don’t play and I still have a really strong desire to play football. I still want to do it. I still want to be with the guys. Around the building, around the coaches. I still enjoy that aspect of it and I’m not ready to quit. I’m excited with a lot of energy going around now and I also didn’t want to end my career in a season like last year. It wouldn’t be right to feel.
“I want to leave the Eagles knowing that I’ve left it in good hands.”
Philadelphia was projected to go over the limit by about $ 40 million this week. It also reworked cornerback Darius Slay’s contract, a source confirmed to ESPN, and that would reportedly free up about $ 9 million.
Other restructurings are likely to be underway, with Lane Johnson and defensive target Brandon Graham among potential candidates.
Kelce’s return is big for new Eagles coach Nick Sirianni, who took over a team last season that went 4-11-1 and was badly hit by injuries. Kelce was the only constant on an offensive line to have an NFL record of 13 different groups for the first 14 weeks.
He has quietly compiled a resume worthy of Hall of Fame consideration. A three-time first-team All Pro, Kelce has made it to the Pro Bowl four times while serving as the team leader, including at the 2017 Championship in Philadelphia.
“I have fun and as long as I have fun and I feel that I am playing at a level that I want to play, I will keep doing it,” said Kelce. “I’m looking forward to what awaits us.”
NFL Network first reported details of Kelce’s reworked contract.