Jason Kelce Unretires, Snubs Eagles, Inks 2-Year Deal With Chiefs To Join Travis: “We Are Stronger And Better Together!”

In a move that has stunned the NFL world and sent ripples of excitement through Chiefs Kingdom, future Hall of Famer Jason Kelce has officially unretired and signed a 2-year, $15 million contract with the Kansas City Chiefs—leaving behind a legacy in Philadelphia to join forces with his younger brother, Travis Kelce. The shocking decision comes just months after Jason gave an emotional farewell to the NFL, only to reverse course in one of the most dramatic comebacks in recent football history.

Kelce’s unexpected return ignited social media Monday morning, when reports surfaced that he had been seen at Arrowhead Stadium over the weekend. Within hours, the Chiefs made it official, welcoming the veteran center with a hype video that featured the tagline: “Two Kelces. One Mission.” And in typical fashion, Jason dropped a bomb of his own during a joint press conference with Travis, stating, “We are stronger and better together. This is about more than football—it’s about family, legacy, and chasing greatness side by side.”

Leaving Philadelphia: A Stunning Break

Jason Kelce’s decision to unretire would have been headline-worthy on its own, but his choice to snub the only NFL team he has ever known—the Philadelphia Eagles—is what truly turned heads. After 13 seasons, six Pro Bowl selections, five First-Team All-Pro honors, and a Super Bowl LII championship, Kelce seemed destined to remain a lifelong Eagle.

In fact, his emotional retirement speech in March had Philadelphia fans in tears, especially as he fought back his own while recounting his journey from a sixth-round draft pick to one of the greatest centers in NFL history. But in a stunning twist, the 36-year-old cited unfinished business—and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to play with his brother—as the fuel behind his comeback.

“Walking away was hard,” Jason said. “But walking toward something even greater with someone I love and respect deeply… that made the decision easier.”

Sources close to the Eagles confirmed that the franchise was caught off guard by the move and had not been informed in advance. Some within the organization reportedly feel “betrayed,” while others simply expressed surprise. Still, Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni took the high road in a statement, saying, “Jason will always be an Eagle in our hearts. He gave us everything he had and more.”

The Kelce Brothers: From Podcast to Prime Time

Jason and Travis Kelce have become one of the NFL’s most beloved sibling duos, thanks in large part to their wildly popular podcast, New Heights. The two combined equal parts football insight, trash talk, and brotherly banter to create a cultural phenomenon. But now, they’re taking that chemistry from the studio to the field.

Travis, already a two-time Super Bowl champion and arguably the greatest tight end in NFL history, was reportedly a driving force in Jason’s decision. According to multiple reports, he had been quietly lobbying both the Chiefs front office and his brother for months.

“I’ve been dreaming about this since we were kids in Cleveland Heights,” Travis said at the press conference. “We’ve played backyard football together. Now we get to do it on Sundays—on the biggest stage. Let’s ride.”

The brothers have never suited up for the same team in a competitive football game—until now.

How He Fits With the Chiefs

For Kansas City, the move is more than sentimental. It’s strategic.

The Chiefs’ offensive line has been solid, but injuries and inconsistencies at the center position during the 2024 season left Patrick Mahomes occasionally scrambling under pressure. With Jason Kelce under center, Andy Reid now has the most cerebral, durable, and technically sound pivot man in the game anchoring his offense.

Reid, who originally drafted Kelce back in 2011 when he was head coach of the Eagles, didn’t mince words.

“Jason knows my system. He knows winning. And he knows how to elevate everyone around him,” Reid said. “This isn’t just a feel-good story—it’s a football upgrade.”

Kelce’s arrival brings veteran leadership and an immediate on-field upgrade to a unit already considered among the league’s top 10. More importantly, it creates a unique synergy between Mahomes and the Kelce brothers, whose combined football IQ is off the charts.

Locker Room Reaction: Electric Energy

In the locker room, players and coaches are buzzing with excitement.

“All due respect to everyone we’ve had in that room, but this is a Hall of Fame guy walking in,” said right guard Trey Smith. “He’s a legend. And now, he’s one of us.”

Mahomes, for his part, shared a GIF-heavy tweet welcoming Jason and referencing the Kelce family’s epic Super Bowl face-off in 2023. “From opponents to teammates. Let’s GO!! #KelceSquared,” he wrote.

Linebacker Nick Bolton joked that practices are going to be “like chess and war at the same time.”

Even kicker Harrison Butker got in on the fun, posting on Instagram, “Wedding speeches and locker room speeches, Jason’s got it covered now.”

What This Means for the Chiefs

With Kelce’s addition, Kansas City appears even more poised to pursue a historic three-peat, something no NFL team has accomplished since the 1965-67 Green Bay Packers. After capturing back-to-back Super Bowls in 2023 and 2024, Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes now enter 2025 with not only continuity but additional strength and leadership up front.

It also puts the Chiefs in rarified air when it comes to offensive firepower. With Travis Kelce showing no signs of slowing down, Isiah Pacheco developing into a top-10 back, and rookie WR Xavier Worthy blazing past defenders, this team might be more balanced than any Reid has coached.

And now, Jason Kelce—one of the fiercest competitors in football—is suiting up for one last dance, only this time as a Chief.

The Legacy Play

For Kelce, this decision wasn’t just about dollars or revenge. The $15 million contract, while generous for a player his age, is dwarfed by what he likely could’ve earned had he stayed in the NFC or inked a multi-year TV deal. This was about rewriting his legacy, closing his career on his own terms—and doing it beside his brother.

“I’ve played through injuries, fought through losses, tasted the mountaintop, and been humbled,” Jason said. “But I’ve never done it with him on the same side. That’s the dream.”

The move also comes at a time when legacy-building has become increasingly important in the NFL. Stars like Aaron Donald, Tom Brady, and J.J. Watt have made retirement decisions tied to family, legacy, and historical context.

Jason Kelce is now writing his final chapter with both heart and history in mind.

What’s Next?

The Chiefs will open training camp with Jason Kelce immediately inserted as the starting center. Reid confirmed that the plan is to give him regular veteran rest days while integrating him into their high-tempo offense gradually. Travis and Jason have already begun training together, and video of their offseason workouts went viral just hours after the signing.

As for the Eagles? They will move forward with 2023 second-round pick Cam Jurgens at center—Jason’s hand-picked successor—though the loss of Kelce’s locker room presence will linger.

Meanwhile, Philadelphia fans are feeling a complex mix of emotions. Tributes to Jason still adorn murals and sidewalks across the city. But now, those images carry a bittersweet edge.

Still, in typical Kelce fashion, he addressed the city directly:

“Philly will always be a part of me. But this isn’t a goodbye. It’s a next step. And no matter what jersey I wear, I’ll always bleed green—in my own way.”

Jason Kelce’s unretirement might go down as one of the boldest late-career moves in NFL history—not because he wanted more glory, but because he wanted meaning. And now, with one last shot at glory beside his brother, he’s primed to chase immortality on and off the field.

One Kelce was enough to win Super Bowls.

Now there are two.

And the NFL just got a whole lot louder.