Jason Kelce has admitted a move into coaching would mean taking a “significant pay decrease” – which could be a warning to younger brother Travis. The retired Philadelphia Eagles centre is set to watch younger brother Travis and the Kansas City Chiefs take on his former team in Sunday’s Super Bowl.
The Kelce brothers co-host the hugely successful New Heights podcast, which has soared in popularity in just a couple of years. But in addition to their huge success on the airwaves, both the Kelces have the world at their feet in terms of career options in the world of American football.
Speaking of his post-retirement opportunities, NFL icon Jason – who spent his entire 13-year career at Lincoln Financial Field – has already ventured into punditry on ESPN’s Monday Night Countdown. Yet, he expressed reservations about a potential shift to coaching while on the Pardon My Take podcast (via The Mirror US).
“Part of me would love to do that,” said the elder Kelce brother. “But that would be a significant pay decrease from podcasting.
“So I’m navigating that. There’s also just the time commitment [for] those guys. I’ve got three young kids [and] a fourth on the way, and I don’t know that I’m ready for that yet.”
While he may be unsure, the older Kelce sibling is under no illusion he’d get a kick out of leading a team as he added: “But I know that I would absolutely love it. I love the Xs and Os [tactics] part of it. I love being with the guys – that’s the thing I miss most. Do I want to play in the Super Bowl? Yeah, I want to play in the Super Bowl. [But] I want to be with the guys – that’s what I want. And when you’re not on the field with them, that’s what you miss.”
While Jason explores opportunities in broadcasting, brother Travis is still at the pinnacle of his career with the Chiefs. And the latter may ponder his future in light of retirement talk and Jason’s insights into the coaching profession’s financial aspects.
Chiefs head coach Andy Reid recently praised the younger Kelce and suggested he would make a great coach despite the NFL star admitting he wants to go into broadcasting when his playing days are up. Both are aiming for an unprecedented third consecutive Super Bowl win on Sunday, sparking speculation about whether this could be Kelce’s final season.
“Travis would be a heck of a football coach,” Reid said ahead of Super Bowl LIX despite Kelce’s plans to be a broadcaster. “He’s able to get up there and explain things and teach these young guys exactly what he sees and feels. Not that they all have that same talent, but he’s got a good feel for the game.”
However, he would need to weigh up the financial implications of a move into coaching compared to a potentially more lucrative (and less stressful) career in broadcasting. NFL legend Tom Brady signed a 10-year deal worth $375million (£302m) in 2024, highlighting the potential earnings from transitioning to television with a high-profile reputation.
But Chiefs stalwart Kelce is determined to extend his tenure on the gridiron. Responding to a question this week asking where he saw himself in three years, Travis replied: “Hopefully still playing football. I love doing this. I love coming into work every day. I feel like I still got a lot of good football left in me.
“We’ll see what happens. I know I’ve been setting myself up for other opportunities in my life. That’s always been the goal, knowing that football only lasts for so long.”
Expressing his aspirations to follow NFL legend Brady’s post-career path, Travis did, however, say last year: “I want to broadcast when I’m done playing. I want to be right here and tell them about the game. I want to do that. I wanna be the talking head that calls the games.”
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