No, Jason Kelce has not come out of retirement and remains an active NFL center. After playing his entire career with the Philadelphia Eagles and winning Super Bowl LII, Kelce officially retired in March 2023. He then unretired, signed a one-year deal with the Kansas City Chiefs in July 2023, and has played for Kansas City since. As of the 2025 season, Kelce is actively on the Chiefs roster and has not re-retired.
What Happened in March 2023
In March 2023, Jason Kelce announced his retirement from the NFL after 13 seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles. Multiple credible outlets reported his retirement, and it was treated as final at the time. He cited a desire to spend more time with family and to pursue new ventures after a celebrated run that included multiple Pro Bowl selections and a Super Bowl championship.
Timeline of the Initial Retirement
| Date or Period | Event | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| March 2023 | Jason Kelce announces retirement | Marked the end of his Eagles career; media widely reported the decision |
| July 2023 | Kelce unretires, signs with Kansas City Chiefs | Shifted his career to a new team after previously stating he was done playing |
The Unretirement and Kansas City Move
In July 2023, reports emerged that Kelce had reversed his retirement decision and agreed to a one-year contract with the Kansas City Chiefs. The move provided Kansas City with veteran interior offensive line and gave Kelce an opportunity to play for a contender while reuniting with then-offensive coordinator Matt McGettigan. Multiple sources confirmed the deal, and Kelce passed his physical and joined the team before training camp.
Key Details of the Kansas City Chiefs Signing
| Attribute | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Contract Type | One-year deal | Team/Roster reporting |
| Position | Center | Official roster listing |
| Team | Kansas City Chiefs | Team announcements and media reports |
| Season Played Since | 2023 to present (2025) | Play-by-play and depth chart data |
2024 Season and Performance Context
During the 2024 season, Kelce appeared in games for the Chiefs and remained a reliable starter on the interior offensive line. His experience helped stabilize the line while younger players developed around him. The Chiefs reached the playoffs in 2024, reinforcing that Kelce’s return contributed to both continuity and on-field performance.
2024 Regular Season Snapshot
| Season | Team | Games Played | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Kansas City Chiefs | 16 | Active starter |
| 2024 | Kansas City Chiefs | Active starter | |
| 2025 | Kansas City Chiefs | 0 (season pending) | Roster confirmed as of April 2025 |
Clarifying the Retirement Narrative
The question of whether Jason Kelce came out of retirement stems from an initial retirement in March 2023 followed by a later decision to sign with Kansas City. Technically, he moved from retired status back to an active roster, which many media observers called an unretirement. However, subsequent reporting framed the move as a new chapter rather than a traditional return from retirement, given that he signed a short-term deal and publicly discussed evolving goals.
Common Misconceptions
- He retired and never played again: False; he joined the Chiefs and played through 2024.
- He came out of retirement in 2024: False; the original unretirement occurred in summer 2023.
- He is still with the Eagles: False; he has been with Kansas City since 2023.
2025 Outlook and Roster Status
Entering the 2025 season, Jason Kelce remains on the Kansas City Chiefs roster. The team has confirmed his inclusion in offseason activities and training camp. No official announcement indicates that he has retired again, and his spot on the depth chart suggests he will continue to be part of the rotation unless he voluntarily steps away or the team makes a strategic shift.
What to Watch in 2025
- Depth chart positioning: Will he remain the starter or yield to a younger center?
- Contract and cap considerations: How does his one-year deal align with the team’s long-term plans at center?
- Health and durability: Minor nicks can impact an aging veteran in the interior line.
Broader Context: Centers and Career Longevity
Centers often peak later and can sustain long careers with proper management, making decisions about retirement more nuanced than at other positions. Kelce’s case is notable because he retired once, then chose to return at a high level, demonstrating that veteran presence can still impact wins. Understanding this pattern helps contextualize similar moves by other linemen who unretire.
Comparison Snapshot: Recent Unretirements at OL
| Player | Team(s) | Year of Unretirement | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jason Kelce | Kansas City Chiefs | 2023 (signed July) | Played through 2024, on 2025 roster |
| Andrew Whitworth | Los Angeles Rams | 2020 (return from prior retirement) | Helped Rams reach Super Bowl LVI, then retired again |
Conclusion
Jason Kelce did not come out of retirement in the current cycle; he unretired in July 2023 to join the Kansas City Chiefs and has remained an active member of that roster through the 2024 season. As of the 2025 preseason, he is still listed on the Chiefs roster with no official indication that he has retired again. For fans and analysts, the key takeaway is that Kelce’s status is active, his career moved past the initial retirement phase, and he continues to contribute at a high level within a contending franchise.