Jason Kelce To Be On Air For Eagles Monday Night Football Matchup

PHILADELPHIA, PA — Birds fans are in the midst of experiencing something they haven't had to go through for more than a decade: the opening weeks of an NFL season without Jason Kelce on the gridiron.

But the franchise legend and future Hall of Famer, who retired over the offseason after some personal reflection, is not stepping away from the game entirely.

Kelce, now a pregame analyst and host for Monday Night Football on ESPN, will welcome his old Eagles once again to the national stage during the week two matchup. The Birds are hosting the Atlanta Falcons for Monday Night Football on Sept. 16.

Kickoff time is 8:15 p.m. The pregame show hosted by Kelce, Monday Night Countdown, runs from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Kelce's announced his deal with ESPN shortly after his retirement, as it became clear his larger than the field, larger than life personality would not be very contained in his post-playing years.

His first ever appearance on the show last Monday drew rave reviews, particularly the characteristic way he handled forgetting his suit in his truck. He sported instead a white shirt that fit him a bit too tightly, which his co-hosts said he bought at a nearby mall just before the broadcast.

"It fits my belly now. I’ve lost a little bit of weight," Kelce said.

"Surprised he bought a new one and didn’t just go shirtless," his brother Travis Kelce responded on social media.

Kelce will be joined on Monday Night Countdown by fellow Philly area analyst Sal Paolantonio, Scott Van Pelt, Ryan Clark, Marcus Spears, Alex Smith, Larry Fitzgerald, Michelle Beisner-Buck, Lisa Salters, and Adam Schefter.

The Birds are 6.5 point favorites over the Falcons, according to FanDuel Sportsbook. They'll look to keep the good momentum going with Kelce's vibes a week after winning their season opener over the Green Bay Packers, 34-29, during the NFL's first ever game in South America.