Former Philadelphia Eagles star Jason Kelce could be set to take on a new role as a talk show host on ESPN – as the network looks to build on his success after joining the “Monday Night Countdown” crew.

The retired center called time on his glittering football career earlier this year, hanging up his cleats after 13 memorable years at Lincoln Financial Field. Since then, the 36-year-old has embraced his next chapter as part of the pregame team on “Monday Night Countdown” after penning a deal back in March.

Kelce has proven a hit with viewers after showing natural talent in front of the camera, having built up previous experience as the co-host of the popular “New Heights” podcast. Now, it has been claimed that ESPN chiefs are lining the ex-Philadelphia hero up to front a late-night show.

That is according to Puck, with the outlet alleging that the former footballer could host a show that would also feature “other athletes and celebrities”. This report comes after the initial insistence from ESPN previously that “further opportunities will be explored” with Kelce in mind in terms of his role with the network.

The report also claims that the show would air in January on a once-weekly basis, with the hope being that Kelce’s involvement can generate viral content. Either way, it remains to be seen whether such a move would prove popular with ESPN colleague Chris Russo, who spoke disparagingly about his peer’s contributions on screen so far.

Speaking 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,” before Stephen A. Smith chimed in by defending the former Eagles star, interjecting: “I happen to like Jason a great deal.”

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Jason Kelce has impressed with his work as a broadcaster on Monday Night Football

Jason Kelce has impressed with his work as a broadcaster on Monday Night Football ( 

Image:

David Eulitt/Getty Images)

Still, there is no questioning Kelce’s enthusiasm for his new post on “Monday Night Countdown”, having previously spoken on his excitement ahead of taking up his role, saying: “Being involved on gamedays is one of two ways a player can remain connected to the game.

“With ESPN, there were a lot of things that were attractive to me. You’re not just in the studio somewhere, for the most part, you’re at the game. You’re feeling the environment, the fans, and you’re seeing players during pregame.”

Meanwhile, younger brother Travis congratulated him on landing the role previously on their “New Heights” podcast, saying: “I couldn’t be happier for you, dude. We grew up watching all of the legends and ESPN really fueled our sports fandom, our competition, our knowledge of the games we were playing… it’s insane.”

His elder sibling then revealed: “When I called you and we started talking about the different opportunities, I mentioned ESPN in particular, your exact words I think were: “You’re going to be Monday Night Football?”‘