Center Jason Kelce‘s sixth season in Philadelphia might have been his last. Three years after the Eagles signed Kelce to a six-year, $37.5MM extension, they’re considering trading or releasing him, a source told Jimmy Kempski of PhillyVoice.com. Kelce has been with the Eagles since they selected him in the sixth round of the 2011 draft.
Parting with Kelce this offseason wouldn’t open up a windfall of cap space in 2017 for Philadelphia, which would save $3.8MM against $2.4MM in dead money. The Eagles would also lose a one-time Pro Bowler who’s coming off his fourth 16-start season and second in a row. Durability aside, Kelce’s performance wasn’t great in 2016, as he finished 27th among Pro Football Focus’ 38 qualified centers and led the position in penalties (eight).
If Kelce were to hit free agency, he’d join a center market that’s also slated to include teammate Stefen Wisniewski, Joe Hawley, A.Q. Shipley and John Sullivan, among others. It seems doubtful the Eagles would turn to any of those names to replace Kelce, as they may have a successor on their roster in 2016 third-round pick Isaac Seumalo. With Kelce in the equation, Seumalo’s action as a rookie came at guard and right tackle. Seumalo previously garnered extensive center experience at Oregon State, however, and Eagles head coach Doug Pederson indicated during the season that he’s confident in the 23-year-old’s ability to handle the position.
“He’s been such a versatile offensive lineman for us, that I would have no issues if he had to play center,” Pederson said, per Kempski.
In 1 of the articles I’ve read on Kelce,Roseman said,he’s 29 and can still play,it’s not as if hes 35,36.
I found it interesting that he’d say that,considering Peters is 35.