NFL icon Jason Kelce has given his two cents on the heated NFL-NBA crossover debate, saying he could see LeBron James thrive on the gridiron.

ESPN analyst and ex-NBA guard Austin Rivers sparked the discussion earlier this month when he suggested basketball stars would find it easier to transition to football than the other way around.

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Jason Kelce has added his two cents on the heated NFL-NBA crossover debateCredit: Getty

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Kelce said that NBA star LeBron James (pictured) would be ‘the greatest red zone threat’ in the NFLCredit: Getty

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Kelce offered the take in response to Ryan Clark’s rant about NBA players lacking the right athleticism and mentality to thrive on the football fieldCredit: Pivot Podcast
Ryan Clark, who also works for ESPN, then rejected the claim in a passionate rant on his The Pivot podcast.

The retired NFL safety said most of the current NBA stars don’t have the athleticism and mentality to play professional football.

“You give me anybody 6-foot-6, or taller, and slim,” Clark, 44, said.

“I’m going to split them in half so many times he’s going to choose to do something else with his life.”

Clark tipped Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards and primetime 2011 MVP Derrick Rose as NBA stars who could potentially survive on the football field.

But Kelce, 36, noted a notable omission in the ESPN star’s take.

“I love this argument and passion from Ryan,” the freshly-retired former Philadelphia Eagles guard posted on X.A

“And as a football player, my mind is screaming hell yea!!!

“But, if I was an NFL GM, and it was an option, I’d sign LeBron today.

“And within one offseason, he’d be the greatest red zone threat in the NFL.”

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James, 39, played both football and basketball in high school at St. Vincent-St. Mary in Akron, Ohio.

He was a wide receiver for the Fighting Irish and logged 1,160 yards and 16 touchdowns in his junior year.

Meanwhile, Cark claimed that basketball players could only switch to the gridiron if they have played the sport in the past.

Still, he couldn’t even find five NBA players tough enough to play professional football.

“The football mentality is built like a callus. It’s much like the skill of a hooper,” he posted on X earlier this week while sharing a clip of his podcast rant.

“Sorry @AustinRivers25, football players are more dynamic. Bigger, faster, stronger…

“Show me the NBA’s Bo Jackson. @DeionSanders ? @obj even?

“Honestly, what hooper is tough enough? @Money23Green
is a basketball goon, b/c he’ll fight, get dirty, be physical, or choke Gobert.

“He actually tried out in college & he was the one getting choked.

“In football, he was just 1 of the crazy mother f*ckers… Not THE crazy one!”