Jason Kelce in line for huge new job offer but not everybody is convinced

Jason Kelce is reportedly set to be offered a new role by ESPN but not everybody would appear to be on board with the move. Kelce joined the network following his retirement from the NFL earlier this year, featuring on the Monday Night Countdown preview show.

The 36-year-old has certainly made a big impression, having gone viral when he forgot to pack a shirt ahead of his network debut. He was also forced to deny being drunk after throwing beers into the crowd and dancing while appearing on Monday Night Football.

ESPN bosses are reportedly looking to capitalise on Kelce’s popularity by handing him a new role on his very own show.

According to Puck, he is being lined up to present a new late-night programme featuring other athletes and celebrities as guests.

The show, which would be produced by NFL Films and licensed to ESPN, would reportedly be aired on five consecutive Friday nights starting in January. The report adds that it would be designed for clips of Kelce to spread on social media across the weekend.

Kelce is no stranger to having his own show, given that he already hosts the New Heights podcast with his brother Travis. However, not everybody is convinced that Kelce needs more air time with ESPN colleague Chris Russo among them.

During a recent appearance on First Take, Russo said: “You’re gonna get mad at me. I’m gonna say it anyway because I feel like it. I think we’ve all seen plenty of Jason Kelce in the last few weeks.”

Russo continued to complain about Kelce appearing in the Monday Night Football booth alongside Troy Aikman and Joe Buck. His comments sparked a backlash in the ESPN studio, with Jeff Saturday branding Russo a ‘hater’.

Stephen A. Smith also jumped to Kelce’s defence, describing him as ‘a new star to the network’ and saying: “I happen to like Jason a great deal.”

Kelce spent the entirety of his playing career with the Philadelphia Eagles and is regarded as one of the greatest centres in NFL history. He helped them to achieve Super Bowl glory in 2017 and was a seven-time Pro Bowl selection.

It seems ESPN have no plans to scale back Kelce’s air time in spite of Russo’s concerns, with the network hoping to reap the benefits of his popularity on the small screen.