Philadelphia Eagles 2020 training camp profile: Center Jason Kelce

Jason Kelce gives the Philadelphia Eagles one less thing to worry about

Currently, the Philadelphia Eagles are undergoing some changes in their offensive line. In at left tackle is Andre Dillard and out is Jason Peters, sort of. After allowing the latter to walk in March, “The Bodyguard” was reacquired in July to replace the injured Brandon Brooks at right guard. The always reliable Jason Kelce won’t be the cause for any worry as he starts at the center position.

Ever since the Eagles drafted Kelce in 2011, he’s been a fixture on their offensive line. Moreover, along with longevity (he’s played for Andy Reid, Chip Kelly, and Doug Pederson), he’s also provided quality play at the position. Since the “Birds” took him, he’s earned three Pro Bowls selections, and three First-Team All-Pro designations. He was also part of the squad’s lone Super Bowl victory during the 2017 season.

Jason Kelce has performed excellently for the Philadelphia Eagles again in 2019.

Pro Football Focus gave Kelce an 81.1 overall grade and ranked him as the best center in the league last season. Kelce is far from a one-hit-wonder though. Throughout his career, he’s consistently been given grades of 80 or higher and last season wasn’t the first time PFF named him as the game’s best center. Take a look.

Kelce is 32 years old, but he hasn’t given any indication that he’s slowing down. Last year, he didn’t miss a single snap on offense (he’s also done the same in 2015 and 2016). In 2013, he played 99 percent of all possible snaps, and in 2017 and 2018, he was on the field for 95 percent of the snaps.

The only time he didn’t start in 16 games was his sophomore campaign. That year, Philly lost their star center for the season with a knee injury. Other than that, he’s proven that he’s pretty sturdy.

Jason Peters is 38 years old. There’s no reason to believe that Kelce can’t showcase some of that same longevity and play three or four more seasons if that’s what he wants to do. These days, offensive linemen often play well beyond their early thirties, but even though Kelce hasn’t lost a step yet, a decline could be on the way.

Jason Kelce helps the Philadelphia Eagles on the field and the books

Even though Kelce’s production on the field is second to none, his salary ranks in the middle of the pack. According to Over the Cap, the center’s salary ranks 15th among players at his position. This upcoming season, he’ll only eat up a little over three percent of the “Birds” 2020 salary cap space. Putting Kelce’s contract in context, the organization is getting a quality center at an affordable rate for the next twos seasons.

While it’s too early to speculate about Kelce’s future with the team after next year, there’s nothing stopping him from performing greatly in 2020. If he plays the way he has, he’ll remain in the NFL’s top echelon at the center position.