This year’s preseason got off to a poignant start when veteran Jason Kelce of the Philadelphia Eagles announced his retirement. For over ten years, Kelce was the Eagles’ dominant player in the middle of the field. There is obviously a big hole in the Eagles’ roster caused by his departure. How will Jason Kelce be replaced by Eagles?
When asked this question during his most recent news conference, Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts frankly stated that a man the size of Kelce cannot be replaced. Instead, selecting the top player from the collegiate circuit is the most they can do without going over budget.
Jason Kelce recently retired from NFL
“I don’t think you can replace a guy like that, but I think we got special guys here. I think we’re going to get guys that have that sense of culture and mentality about themselves and that are truly hungry to go out there and go do great things; you know coming from the UOs and Alabama’s.
Jalen stressed how important it is to sign rookies who have the appropriate mindset. Replacing Kelce will require developing and mentoring young players who have an unquenchable desire to succeed.
“You kind of look at where these guys have come from, where my teammates have come from; they come from places rich in mentality, culture and winning; so um that’s what it’s all about you know. You can get a group of like-minded men together chasing the same goals and chasing the same things and ultimately putting the work in special things.”
Jalen Hurts’ strategy is similarly similar to Jason Kelce’s from a few years back. For some time now, the older Kelce brother has been thinking about retiring. He therefore pushed the Eagles to sign rookie Cam Jurgens in 2022, designating him as his replacement.
