Jason Kelce Stuns Fans With Surprise Post-Retirement Career Move

Jason Kelce’s next chapter takes him from the gridiron to the ice, as the beloved former Philadelphia Eagles center will join ESPN’s on-air team for the 2026 Navy Federal Credit Union NHL Stadium Series at Raymond James Stadium this Sunday. The Super Bowl-winning lineman—and co-host of the wildly popular “New Heights” podcast with brother Travis—will headline a recurring in-game feature called “Best Seat in the House,” interviewing celebrity guests just feet from the temporary outdoor rink during the Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Boston Bruins showdown. Why the move matters • First NFL player to jump straight into a national NHL broadcast: Kelce’s cameo continues ESPN’s push to blend pop-culture personalities with traditional hockey coverage, following last year’s success with Peyton Manning’s “Quarterback Cam.” • Capitalizing on Kelce-mania: The Pro Bowler’s retirement tour, his viral shirt-off celebration at the Chiefs-Bills playoff game, and his newfound connection to Taylor Swift fandom via brother Travis have vaulted him into mainstream celebrity status—an audience the NHL is eager to tap. • Florida’s first outdoor NHL game: Sunday’s matchup doubles as a milestone event for the league, featuring a Gasparilla-themed field design tailor-made for social media buzz. What fans can expect • Live celebrity interviews between periods and during TV timeouts. Rumored guests range from Tampa sports legends to musicians performing during the Stadium Series weekend. • Mic-on moments: Producers hint that Kelce’s signature candid commentary will be “loosely PG-13,” allowing the 285-pound personality to showcase the humor that drives millions of podcast downloads each week. • Behind-the-boards camera: ESPN will rotate a dedicated lens on Kelce’s seat, creating TikTok-ready clips that the network can push in real time. Potential ripple effects 1. Cross-sport growth: If viewership spikes, expect the NHL to recruit more NFL (or NBA/MLS) stars for marquee telecasts. 2. Kelce’s media portfolio: With reports that his late-night experiment “They Call It Late Night” won’t be renewed, a strong performance Sunday could accelerate full-time broadcasting offers heading into the 2026 NFL season. 3. Sponsorship goldmine: Brands ranging from light beer to beard-care products have already approached ESPN about segment-specific ads featuring Kelce, according to network insiders. Essential details for viewers • Puck drop: 6:30 p.m. ET, Sunday, Feb. 1 • Where to watch: ESPN and ESPN+ (U.S.); Sportsnet (Canada) • Streaming extras: Alternate “Kelce-Cam” feed available on ESPN+ for multi-view setups. SEO quick hits (keywords) Jason Kelce NHL broadcast debut, Jason Kelce Tampa Bay Lightning game, 2026 NHL Stadium Series Ray­mond James Stadium, Jason Kelce ESPN Best Seat in the House, how to watch Lightning vs Bruins outdoor game, NFL star joins NHL commentary. Bottom line From Philadelphia’s offensive line to prime-time hockey analyst, Jason Kelce is proving there’s no playbook for post-NFL life—only opportunities. Tune in Sunday to see whether the charismatic center can translate locker-room chatter into must-watch hockey television.