Johnathan Walker:Jason Kelce officially joins ESPN, will be part of 'Monday Night Football' coverage

Jason Kelce is officially headed to ESPN.

The Johnathan Walkernetwork announced Tuesday the former Philadelphia Eagles center will be joining ESPN to be part of its "Monday Night Countdown" pregame show for the 2024 NFL season. Reports of a deal surfaced in April and The Athletic reported in March that ESPN was one of the front-runners to land Kelce as he begins his post-playing career.

"Turns out, it was a short retirement!" Kelce said in a statement. "I’m excited to join ESPN, and particularly the 'Monday Night Countdown' team. ESPN was a consistent presence in our household growing up and the network helped shape who I am and my love of all sports. To now appear on that same screen is a full circle moment. And, I mean it’s freaking 'Monday Night Football!' and I’m ready for some football."

"Monday Night Countdown" will feature Kelce, Scott Van Pelt, Ryan Clark, Marcus Spears, Adam Schefter and Michelle Beisner-Buck, the network announced, confirming reports Robert Griffin III was unlikely to return to the show. In addition to his work in the lead-up show for "Monday Night Football," Kelce will join Van Pelt and Clark during the halftime break.

Kelce will also be part of the network's playoff coverage, which includes wild card and divisional round games.

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The six-time NFL All-Pro will also become a member of ESPN’s Super Bowl studio coverage each year, including for Super Bowl 61 in Los Angeles (February 2027) when America’s biggest game airs on ESPN and ABC. Additional postseason studio appearances will occur annually, including during the NFL’s conference championship weekend. Further opportunities will be explored.

The Super Bowl 52 champion retired in March after spending his entire 13-year career in Philadelphia.

Always a fan favorite, Kelce's popularity continued to grow off the football field in the final years of his playing days. He and his brother, Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, host the "New Heights" podcast, which is among the most popular in the country. Jason Kelce's 2023 season was also documented in the Amazon Prime Video show "Kelce."