ESPN has a long history of bringing in former athletes from the MLB, NBA, NFL and other top leagues, but the addition of Jason Kelce hasn’t gone according to plan.
The network brought in the former Philadelphia Eagles center back in April 2024, however, ESPN has struggled mightily to find effective roles for Kelce. In fact, ESPN’s latest pitch for Kelce doesn’t even involve NFL coverage.
Advertisement
MORE: Super Bowl 63 stadium revealed, where is the 2029 NFL finale?
Ahead of The Masters, Front Office Sports announced that Kelce is being sent to Augusta National for the premier PGA Tour event. However, Kelce not only isn’t a golfer but it’s also just weeks before the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh.
I feel like ESPN has no idea what to do with Kelce. Overpaid and just throwing shit against the wall. Get this dude on the board breaking down offensive line prospects, I’d be far more interested in that than him at the Masters https://t.co/GMQ4ZrPNPo
— Joe DeLeone (@joedeleone) March 31, 2026
Kelce is scheduled to serve as an “on-course reporter” at the Par 3 Contest. This comes shortly after recently getting involved in ESPN’s TGL coverage.
Advertisement
The sports media giant certainly has talented personalities that are capable of performing duties in multiple sports. Versatile figures like Pat McAfee, Scott Van Pelt, Stephen A. Smith and Marty Smith all come to mind in that regard.
However, Kelce’s presence at the Worldwide Leader in Sports should strictly be limited to professional football. NFL coverage is beginning to ramp up again in the spring ahead of the draft, schedule release and offseason workouts.
Advertisement
MORE: Pat McAfee embarrasses Dan Orlovsky live on ESPN
Kelce’s addition to the Monday Night Football pregame show has certainly provided the network with some positive moments alongside Van Pelt, Adam Schefter and other former NFL stars like Ryan Clark.
Former NFL player and ESPN commentator Jason Kelce at the Kansas City Chiefs and Tampa Bay Buccaneers game. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images
The reality is that Kelce and his prominent younger brother, Travis Kelce, already have a successful podcast. ‘New Heights’ didn’t originally become successful because of its ability to dive into other sports.
It’s a football podcast first and foremost that eventually evolved into other athletes and celebrities joining the program. However, ESPN continues to excel with its biggest personalities either delivering hot takes or viral moments.
Kelce isn’t known for that succeeding in that department. ESPN is best-suited to let him do what he does succeed at; breaking down the NFL as a former Super Bowl champion.