ESPN is pulling out all the stops for what promises to be its biggest NFL season yet, and that means bringing in one of the most recognizable faces in football. On Wednesday, the network announced that former Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce will join the broadcast booth for four games this coming season, adding his signature personality to the network's coverage.
Kelce will team up with play-by-play announcer Dave Pasch and analyst Kurt Warner for those four contests, which are part of the NFL Network's seven-game slate. The bulk of his assignments will come during the league's international series, with Kelce set to call the Week 4 Colts-Commanders game in London, the Week 5 Eagles-Jaguars matchup in London, and the Week 7 Steelers-Saints clash in Paris. He'll also be part of the crew for a yet-to-be-determined game in Week 6 on Saturday, December 26.
The other three NFL Network games will be handled by Bob Wichusen and Louis Riddick, according to ProFootballTalk.
This isn't Kelce's first foray into broadcasting—he's already a podcast host, a regular on ESPN's "Monday Night Countdown," and a ubiquitous presence in commercials and other projects. But stepping into the booth for live game calls is a new challenge, and it's one that has fans buzzing, though not all of them are thrilled.
Kelce Overload?
Social media was quick to react to the news, and the response was decidedly mixed. Some fans expressed exasperation at what they see as an oversaturation of Kelce in the sports media landscape.
"It's actually remarkable that ESPN is still in business. NFL fans are sick of Jason Kelce," one user posted.
"Yeah, I was just thinking we need more Jason Kelce in our lives, not nearly enough exposure," another joked.
"Monday Night Football has already become the most skippable game of the slate and adding a Kelce makes it even easier to skip," a third fan wrote.
Others were more direct, with one commenter saying, "Well, good to know in advance which games I will have on mute." Another added, "I'm sick of Jason Kelce, Travis Kelce and Pat McAfee. Too much of all three, especially Jason and Pat."
Even fans who respect Kelce's football mind aren't convinced he's the right fit for the booth. "Love Kurt Warner and Jason Kelce, but calling games, I don't," one user wrote.
The backlash echoes a broader Kelce fatigue that has been building among NFL fans for some time. With his brother Travis's high-profile relationship with Taylor Swift and the family's expanding media empire, the Kelce name is everywhere. This new role only adds to that presence.
Still, ESPN is betting that Kelce's charisma and insight will draw viewers, especially for the international games. And with the network set to broadcast Super Bowl LXI, adding a proven personality like Kelce to the roster seems like a strategic move, even if it risks alienating some fans.
Kelce's connection to the Eagles, who will play in London this season, could also add an extra layer of interest for fans of the team. His Philadelphia roots are well-documented, and he's already been honored with a spot in the Cincinnati Hall of Fame class celebrating its 50th anniversary.
Whether fans are ready or not, Jason Kelce is coming to a booth near you. The question now is whether he'll win over the skeptics or add fuel to the fire.
