From Reid to Super Bowls, Eagles 4 stalwarts done it all

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Jason Kelce felt the pull of retirement after the Eagles slogged by a depressing 2020 season and a second Tremendous Bowl any time quickly appeared like a joke. The Christmas album crooner,honorary Mummer and All-Professional heart — what number of gamers have all these titles of their NFL.com bio? — thought of strolling away on the finish of final season. His future was one of many extra urgent offseason questions on faucet, so Philadelphia Eagles coach Nick Sirianni shipped the large man two instances of beer to coax him to remain.

So Kelce stayed.

“I’ve discovered now I don’t know when that final sport goes to come back,” the 35-year-old Kelce mentioned.

Hey, at the least Kelce is aware of for positive when the final sport this season goes to come back.

Kelce has tried to not think about that the Tremendous Bowl towards Kansas Metropolis might be his closing sport as an Eagle. However he’s not the one veteran Eagle and Tremendous Bowl champion with a murky future. Kelce, Fletcher Cox and Brandon Graham are the lone holdovers from former coach Andy Reid’s final season with the Eagles in 2012. There’s an opportunity not one of the three will likely be again for the 2023 season.

“I do know them personally and they’re robust guys, tough-minded,” Reid mentioned. “They’re good leaders, enjoyable to be round, and so they’re good soccer gamers. Every one has their very own attribute, however typically I’d inform you that about all of them, nice staff guys.”

Lane Johnson completes the 4 veteran anchors and was a rookie in former coach Chip Kelly’s first season in 2013.

The tenured stars — the Core 4 — have gained a Tremendous Bowl beneath former coach Doug Pederson and gained simply 4 video games in 2020. They’ve been damage and set information. They’ve additionally raised the usual on what it means to be an Eagle. One of the simplest ways to do this is exit and win the large one in model.

“For the reason that day I bought right here, that’s all they speak about,” defensive sort out Javon Hargrave mentioned. “Inform me how they really feel once they went to the Tremendous Bowl and all of the recollections they’d. It’s fairly cool to have individuals who have executed it earlier than.”

Hargrave’s nod to the veterans was interrupted when Graham pulled on his gaudy Tremendous Bowl jacket — with tags dangling from the sleeve — on the neighboring locker. All they want is a brand new ring to finish the ensemble.

In the event that they beat the Chiefs, some may exit in Philly on prime.

That is no abnormal sport for Kelce. On the Kansas Metropolis aspect, there’s Reid, the coach who drafted him. Additionally over there may be his brother, tight finish Travis Kelce, marking the primary time siblings will face off within the Tremendous Bowl. Yet another factor, Kelce’s spouse Kylie is pregnant and the couple is bringing their ob-gyn to Arizona simply in case.

Kelce has been as sturdy as they arrive, with the Tremendous Bowl placing him at 149 consecutive video games.

“He’s on the market at follow every single day limping round and giving his all to the staff,” tight finish Dallas Goedert mentioned.

Let’s check out a few of the foursome’s finer moments:

_____

Jason Kelce. Age 35. Heart. Sixth-round decide, 2011. 5-time first-team All-Professional.

The burly, bushy-haired Hen has been a stalwart of the offensive line since he was drafted and as an Iron Man after he missed a lot of the 2012 season with {a partially} torn MCL and torn ACL. He’s within the final season of his contract.

He’s a fan favourite and has executed all of it exterior the soccer discipline, comparable to singing the nationwide anthem at a 76ers sport, partying with the Phanatic and pounding a beer to a roaring ovation at a Phillies postseason sport.

However the second that endeared him for all times to the Philly devoted got here on the 2018 Tremendous Bowl parade when he dressed as one in every of Philadelphia’s famed Mummer’s and the last word underdog delivered a fiery, profane speech that whipped the gang right into a frenzy.

“Nobody likes us! Nobody likes us! Nobody likes us! We don’t care,” Kelce exclaimed. “We’re from Philly! (Expletive) Philly. Nobody likes us! We don’t care!”

___

Brandon Graham. Age 34. Defensive finish. First-round decide. 2010. 2020 Professional Bowl.

Essentially the most well-known second in Eagles historical past is the trick play that noticed QB Nick Foles catch a landing to steer them previous the New England Patriots for the franchise’s first Tremendous Bowl victory. Proper behind it? Graham’s strip-sack of Tom Brady in the identical sport with 2:21 left within the fourth quarter. Derek Barnett recovered and the Eagles held on to win 41-33.

He missed most of final season with a torn Achilles however got here again to submit a career-high 11 sacks. Graham mentioned he’s not retiring and was enthusiastic about testing free-agency for the primary time in his profession.

“I do know I’m not the man I used to be early on,” he mentioned. “I do really feel like I’m nonetheless pass-rushing the identical. I’m capable of be dominant within the run sport. I’m having fun with being the chief for the blokes.”

___

Lane Johnson. Age 32. Proper sort out. First-round decide. 2013. Two-time first-team All-Professional.

Johnson, signed by 2025, bypassed surgical procedure late within the season and has performed by the postseason with a torn adductor in his groin. He didn’t permit a sack all season. However Johnson has acquired kudos for his openness in coping with his psychological well being. Johnson took a depart throughout the 2021 season as he battled nervousness and despair and has since shared his story at despair therapy clinics within the space.

“I felt the disgrace, I felt prefer it was a crutch,” Johnson mentioned final yr.

___

Fletcher Cox. Age 32. Defensive sort out. First-round decide 2012. First-team All-Professional 2018.

Cox added seven sacks this season to offer him 65 in his profession. Cox was briefly launched final season earlier than signing a brand new deal for basically one season. He is probably not again in Philly subsequent season however he’s not calling it quits.

“I’m nonetheless enjoying at a excessive degree,” Cox mentioned. “That hasn’t crossed my thoughts as soon as, in any respect.”

___

AP Tremendous Bowl protection: https://apnews.com/hub/super-bowl and https://twitter.com/AP_NFL