Before becoming one of the most beloved players in Philadelphia Eagles’ history, Jason Kelce faced a defining moment of his career in 2016. The center was a late-round pick for the Eagles in 2011, and his first five years of his career in the NFL were full of ups and downs.

Kelce was almost released by the team halfway through his second contract following a disappointing performance in 2016, when the Eagles finished with a 7-9 record. He detailed the scenario on the “New Heights with Jason and Travis Kelce” podcast on Wednesday, and how things eventually turned out.

“I had an awful season in 2016, played like trash.” Kelce said. “Almost got cut from Philadelphia. A lot of people don’t even remember it. Philadelphians do, probably. But the next year, I put a lot of work in. In the offseason, I started getting better with my technique, and it was like everything clicked so much better.

“That year, I made my first All-Pro. Following me having just an awful year, really catapulted me into what ended up being my career. … This was really the defining moment. Was the response I had to almost getting cut, almost like everybody, thinking I’m on my way out of the league. ‘F*ck that.’

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“I’m gonna go in here. I’m working my a*s off. I studied my technique, got better with my leverage, and I came back. And it was the best year of my career, and we happened to win a Super Bowl.”

Jason Kelce went on to finish his career with the Eagles in 2023 as one of the most celebrated offensive linemen of his era, winning two Super Bowls. Following that of 2017, he went on to receive another five All-Pro first team honors, missing out only in 2020 in those periods.

Jason Kelce’s daughter crashes the “New Heights” podcast

The “New Heights” podcast had Randy Moss as a guest on Wednesday, but the show welcomed another unexpected contributor. Jason Kelce’s 5-year-old daughter, Elliotte Kelce, made an adorable surprise appearance during this week’s taping of the Kelce brothers’ podcast.

While Jason and Travis were interviewing Moss, Ellie wandered into the background of Jason’s camera shot. Dressed in what appeared to be a gymnastics leotard, she was wrestling with her oversized puffy winter coat, clearly trying to put it on by herself.

After catching the attention of Travis Kelce, who asked if that was her, Jason Kelce urged Ellie to go upstairs. However, the little girl was unwilling and went on to say hi to Randy Moss. Leaving the frame briefly, she came back with a “love you” message for Travis and Randy.