‘Incredibly grateful’ Jason Kelce pays tribute to ex-Eagles coach as fans tout Philly legend for job

After 13 years, an era is ending in Philadelphia.

There was no press conference or farewell tour for Philadelphia Eagles coach Jeff Stoutland.

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The offensive line coach announced he is vacating his role on X in a move that surprised many. 

Stoutland, who is turning 63 just days after Super Bowl LX, is one of the most respected OL coaches in the NFL.

Over his tenure on the coaching staff, they made it to three Super Bowl’s, bringing two Vince Lombardi’s home to Philly — in 2017 against the New England Patriots, and the 2024-rout of the Kansas City Chiefs.

While coaching changes are the norm every offseason, the emotional weight of this departure became a lot clearer after Jason Kelce paid tribute.

Kelce writes touching tribute to long time OL coach

Stoutland joined the Philadelphia organization in 2013, and headlining his offensive-line was a 26-year-old Jason Kelce embarking on his third-year in the NFL.

Kelce was just recovering from a torn ACL and partially torn MCL in 2012, and he was set to return as the starting center for Philadelphia under Stoutland.

The rest, as they say, was history.

“There is absolutely no one I credit more with the career I had than Jeff Stoutland,” Kelce responded to Stoutland’s retirement tweet.

“The consistent passion and his eagerness to teach pushed my teammates, me, and our room to amazing success.  More importantly, we became incredibly close as people.

“It was more than just coaching and teaching, it was his presence and sense of urgency that was unaccepting of mediocrity and potential left behind.  

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“He will undoubtedly be missed inside the building, and everyone that played for him.  

“I am incredibly grateful to have played for Stout, 1 of 1 coach and person.  I love you coach.”

Eagles want Kelce to take over as new OL coach

Underneath Kelce’s heartwarming tribute there are hundreds of messages pleading with Kelce to consider a career change.

“Jason, YOU are the new line coach for the Philadelphia Eagles,” one wrote, replying to Kelce’s response.

“Jason SBChampion Kelce, only you can keep this oline group together man,” another said.

“Time to carry that torch forward, Jason. You know what to do,” a third added.

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Since retiring, Kelce has stepped into the media world, as have many former NFL stars.

He co-hosts the award winning New Heights podcast with brother and Chiefs tight-end Travis Kelce.

He also signed a multiyear deal with ESPN, appearing on Monday Night Countdown and in NFL studio coverage.

Kelce’s retirement life is as good as many dream, but that doesn’t mean he is against the idea of coaching.

“I would love to coach,” he told The Golfers Journal in November 2024.

“The problem with coaching is the time, huge time commitment.

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“Potentially could do that in the future at the high school level. Definitely a different time commitment there. 

“I want nothing to do with college. College is like, first of all, it’s the highest time commitment.”

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