Jason Kelce is officially going to be a part of football fans’ Monday nights this fall.
ESPN officially announced the signing of the recently retired Eagles center Tuesday to a multiyear contract to serve as an NFL analyst for the network’s “Monday Night Football” pregame show.
Kelce will join host Scott Van Pelt, analysts Ryan Clark and Marcus Spears, insider Adam Schefter and reporter Michelle Beisner-Buck on “Monday Night Countdown”
Pro Football talk reported that Kelce will be replacing Robert Griffin III, who will remain with the network in other roles.
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Griffin will still be in the booth for some college games and do other NFL studio work after two years as part of the “MNF” pregame.
Griffin’s former Ravens teammate, fullback Patrick Ricard, tweeted “why not both” in response to the news about the Kelce-Griffin move.
“Love ya brother,” Griffin, who also played for Washington and the Browns, wrote in response.
The 36-year-old Kelce will also be a part of the halftime show with Van Pelt and Clark.
“Turns out, it was a short retirement! I’m excited to join ESPN, and particularly the ‘Monday Night Countdown’ team,” Kelce said in a release. “ESPN was a consistent presence in our household growing up and the network helped shape who I am and my love of all sports. To now appear on that same screen is a full circle moment. And, I mean it’s freaking ‘Monday Night Football’! and I’m ready for some football.”
Kelce will be a part of “Monday Night Countdown” every week and also contribute to ESPN’s playoff coverage.
“Jason is a highly respected, Super Bowl Champion with a strong connection to fans,” ESPN’s president of content Burke Magnus said in a release. “Walking off the field and immediately to ESPN, viewers will benefit from his perspective which has been shaped through his years as an established locker room leader and a future Hall of Fame center. Jason’s addition to ‘Monday Night Countdown’ will greatly strengthen our NFL coverage.”
The Athletic first reported two weeks ago that Kelce had agreed to a deal with ESPN after several other NFL rights holders pursued his services.
Kelce, who hosts the “New Heights” podcast with his brother, Chiefs star tight end Travis, retired in March after 13 seasons with the Eagles, which included seven Pro Bowl nods and a Super Bowl win.
Eagles kicker Jake Elliott recently told NFL Network that Kelce has been at the Eagles’ practice facility “almost every day” since his retirement.
Kelce and his wife Kylie have three daughters: 4-year-old Wyatt, 3-year-old Elliotte and 1-year-old Bennett.
