Jason Kelce’s wife, Kylie, has just one request for her husband as he embarks on a post-retirement weight-loss journey: don’t get too fit. Months after stepping away from the NFL, the former Philadelphia Eagles star shared that his wife would be “furious” if he achieved a six-pack while slimming down.
In March, after 13 successful seasons with the Eagles, Kelce decided to retire from professional football. Now, with his playing days behind him, he has publicly set a goal to lose 35 pounds as part of his transition into post-NFL life. Speaking on the Centered on Buffalo podcast with host Eric Wood, Kelce opened up about his efforts to shed weight—and the humorous advice his wife gave him along the way.
“I was working out the other day and Kylie [says], ‘If you get a six-pack, I will be furious,'” Kelce recalled with a laugh. While many might assume a toned physique would be a welcomed transformation, Kylie’s playful comment reflects her love for Kelce just the way he is.
Originally, Kelce set a target weight of 250 pounds, but he has since adjusted his goals after experiencing some of the challenges that come with post-athlete weight management. “I think I’m somewhere between 270 and 275 pounds,” Kelce shared. “I’m happy with it. I still wanna get down to 260 eventually this year. But a lot of guys lose too much too fast, so it doesn’t fall off properly or you look drastically different.”
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Kelce’s measured approach shows his awareness of how sudden weight loss can impact both physical appearance and overall health. “As I’ve gone down, I feel like 260’s a right number,” he explained. “We’ll reassess when we get there.”
Kelce’s weight-loss journey comes as he transitions into his new role as an NFL analyst for ESPN, where he signed a multi-year contract worth $1.8 million annually. With this new career, Kelce spends a significant amount of time on the road, making it difficult to stick to a strict diet. The allure of regional cuisine and indulging in meals while traveling has presented some obstacles to his fitness goals.
“I was doing really good and then, uh… I keep doing good and then I’m in Cincinnati yesterday, and I’m freakin’ eating these chicken sandwiches,” Kelce said, laughing about the challenges of controlling his diet while traveling. “You load it up when you’re on the road too much.”
Despite the occasional indulgence, Kelce remains committed to his weight-loss goals, even as he balances his professional responsibilities and life on the road. Kelce has already had an eventful few months as part of his ESPN duties. On October 13, the former center returned to Philadelphia for the Eagles’ first home win of the season against the Browns.
During pregame festivities, Kelce tailgated with die-hard Eagles fans and even witnessed a marriage proposal right in front of him, adding to the excitement of the day.
Kelce also made a memorable appearance at MetLife Stadium before the Jets-Bills game the following day, where he was seen drinking with fans before kickoff. However, he later clarified that, despite the lively pregame celebrations, he was completely sober by the time he appeared on air for the broadcast.
As Jason Kelce navigates life after football, his weight-loss journey is just one part of his post-NFL story. With his signature sense of humor and the support of his wife, Kylie, Kelce is taking the process in stride, focusing on health while still enjoying life’s indulgences along the way.
