Jason Kelce won’t be released by Eagles, report says

The Philadelphia Eagles won’t be releasing starting center Jason Kelce, according to a report from Jimmy Kempski of PhillyVoice.

Earlier this offseason, Kempski was the one who reported the Eagles were considering moving on from Kelce.

This news is curious given the Eagles’ recent moves on the interior offensive line. Let’s recap. On Thursday, it was reported the Eagles are keeping starting veteran left guard Allen Barbre. Then the Eagles signed free agent guard Chance Warmack to a one-year deal. On Friday, the Eagles unexpectedly re-signed guard/center Stefen Wisniewski to a deal worth at least $9 million. 2016 third-round guard/center Isaac Seumalo, meanwhile, is returning for his second year in 2017.

So, what gives?

In a press conference on Friday, Howie Roseman was asked these moves meant Kelce is gone.

“No. In fact, the first thing we talked about this morning was the outstanding depth we have on the offensive line. When you look at it, you can say you’re committed to the line, but your actions have to reflect that, and as we looked at our offensive line and the depth we had. We played five right tackles last year. We know we’re going to need those guys. It’s a position, around the league, people are looking for. So we’re excited, and our plan is to keep all those guys.”

It just seems hard to believe the Eagles are going to keep all of these guys. It seems like they liked Seumalo as a starter moving forward. It seems like Wisniewski got starting money. It seems like Warmack will have a chance (no pun intended) to fight for playing time. It seems like Barbre could be in the mix as well.

Kelce’s been a productive player and a great locker room guy for the Eagles throughout his career. But he’s also struggled the past two seasons and he’s being paid top 10 center money. The Eagles, who are tight on cap space, can save $3.8 million by trading or cutting him.

Kempski only said the Eagles aren’t cutting Kelce. That doesn’t necessarily mean they’re keeping him because it leaves the door open for a trade. But who will trade for Kelce when he doesn’t seemingly fit into the Eagles’ current plans?

It’ll be interesting to see how this situation gets resolved.