Retired Philadelphia Eagles offensive lineman and newly minted ESPN NFL analyst Jason Kelce recently sat down with Sports Illustrated to discuss his latest venture and reflect on his storied career. Kelce spoke on behalf of his partnership with Kingsford Charcoal, continuing his collaboration with the brand as they gear up for another grilling season.
As a long-time fan of Kingsford, Kelce expressed his excitement about the partnership, which aligns his love for football with one of his other passions: grilling. Alongside former NFL defensive lineman Vince Wilfork, Kelce has embraced the art of slow-cooking and barbecuing, earning the title “King of the Grill.”
“Kingsford is a brand I’ve associated with my whole life,” Kelce told Sports Illustrated. “Grilling and football just go hand-in-hand, whether it’s tailgating before a big game or cooking for family and friends in the backyard. For me, it was an easy choice to partner with them. It really makes me think of the best moments on and off the field.”
While Kelce is enjoying his retirement from the game, he’s also stepping into a new chapter as an NFL analyst for ESPN’s Monday Night Football. As part of his new role, Kelce will cover games across the league, offering his expert insights. Despite his new job’s broad focus, Kelce admits that his heart remains close to the Eagles, and he’s been closely watching his former team.
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One of the biggest storylines that has captured his attention is the addition of star running back Saquon Barkley to the Eagles’ roster. Kelce is excited about what Barkley brings to the team, noting how his playmaking ability already made an impact in the season opener.
“There were a lot of plays in Week 1 where you’d expect little to no gain,” Kelce explained. “One play in particular, it looked like he was about to get tackled behind the line of scrimmage, and then suddenly, Barkley breaks free for a touchdown. On another play, he found a gap in what seemed like a dead run and took it for over 15 yards. He’s just an exceptional player.”
Though excited about Barkley’s presence, Kelce couldn’t help but express a bit of disappointment that he won’t have the chance to block for the dynamic running back.
“I joke with Howie [Roseman, Eagles GM] all the time, ‘Why’d you wait until I’m retired to bring in a guy like Saquon?'” Kelce said with a laugh. “The last time I played with a running back of his caliber was LeSean McCoy. Darren Sproles was great too, but I caught him at the end of his career. I’ve had the privilege of playing with some outstanding backs, but having a talent like Saquon in front of me would’ve been incredible.”
Kelce’s fondness for Barkley reflects his deep respect for elite running backs, and he knows firsthand how much of a difference a player like Barkley can make for an offense. Despite being on the sidelines in retirement, Kelce remains enthusiastic about the Eagles’ potential this season, especially with Barkley in the backfield.
The Eagles started their season with a hard-fought win over the Green Bay Packers in Brazil, moving to 1-0.
Next up, Philadelphia will host the Atlanta Falcons on Monday Night Football, where Kelce will get a firsthand look at his former team in action—this time, from the analyst’s chair.
Though he’s traded his cleats for a microphone, Kelce’s connection to the game and his former teammates remains as strong as ever.
