‘Monday Night Football just got even better, Congrats @JasonKelce’ read a statement on the official social media account of the Kelce brothers’ hit podcast New Heights.
It came shortly after The Athletic first reported that the former Eagles center was moving into the broadcasting booth.
Kelce retired earlier this year following a Hall of Fame career that saw him spend 13 years in Philadelphia, winning the Super Bowl in 2018.
His next move had been the subject of intense speculation and, according to The Athletic, the 36-year-old was wanted by a number of networks.
NBC, CBS and Amazon are said to be among those who were interested in hiring Kelce, who already offers his opinions on football on New Heights’ weekly episodes.
But ESPN has won the battle for his services, with Kelce expected to be part of the pregame show ‘Monday Night Countdown’.
That is despite Kelce previously appearing as an analyst on Amazon Prime’s Thursday night broadcast. He and his wife Kylie also filmed a documentary – ‘Kelce’ – on the streaming service in 2023.
It represents another coup for ESPN, following the news that former Patriots coach Bill Belichick will be joining the network as a weekly guest on ‘The Pat McAfee Show’ during the NFL season.
Nick Saban will also serve as an analyst on ESPN’s ‘College Gameday’ following his retirement from Alabama.
Kelce, meanwhile, spent part of his bye week in Chicago last November, serving as a guest voice on coverage of the Panthers vs. Bears.
‘It was mind blowing to see the operation that happens for a game, and how seamless and professionally it is all done,’ he said at the time.
‘It was an unbelievable experience, shoutout to Amazon, really just honored that they let me do that and be a part of the broadcast.’
‘You killed it,’ his brother Travis told him.
