When will Jason Kelce make his debut on ESPN’s Monday Night Football broadcast?

Jason Kelce, the recently retired center for the Philadelphia Eagles, will make his “Monday Night Countdown” debut on September 9 when ESPN airs the game between the New York Jets and the San Francisco 49ers.

The game will also be televised on ABC. Kelce will provide pregame and halftime commentary on a panel hosted by Scott Van Pelt. The pregame show will also feature players-turned-analysts Ryan Clark and Marcus Spears, and reporters Adam Schefter and Michelle Beisner-Buck. Joe Buck and Troy Aikman will serve as ESPN’s primary in-game announcers, with Lisa Salters reporting from the sidelines.

A recent TV commercial features Kelce announcing the show with great fanfare.

When will Jason Kelce make his Monday Night Football debut?

The first Monday Night Football game is on Sept. 9, when the New York Jets fly cross-country to take on the reigning NFC champion San Francisco 49ers. Kelce appeared on ESPN in early August to promote the show.

Where else will Kelce appear on ESPN?

Kelce will also be part of ESPN’s studio team for Super Wild Card and Divisional Round playoff games. His multi-year deal with ESPN lasts through at least 2027 — the network has announced that Kelce will be involved in its Super Bowl studio coverage for Super Bowl LXI in Los Angeles (February 2027), which will air on ESPN and ABC.

How do you watch Monday Night Football?

Most Monday Night Football games are broadcast on ESPN. Select games are broadcast on ABC and/or ESPN+, the company’s over-the-top streaming platform (monthly plans start at $10.99 per month).

The “Manningcast” featuring Peyton and Eli Manning will return for a fourth season on ESPN2, beginning in week one. A full schedule has not yet been announced. Former New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick will appear each week.

Week 1: Jets @ 49ers, 8:15 p.m., ABC, ESPN, and ESPN+
Week 2: Falcons @ Eagles, 8:15 p.m., ESPN
Week 3 (doubleheader): Jaguars @ Bills, 7:30 p.m., ESPN
Week 3 (doubleheader): Commanders @ Bengals, 8:15 p.m., ABC & ESPN+
Week 4 (doubleheader): Titans @ Dolphins, 7:30 p.m., ESPN
Week 4 (doubleheader): Seahawks @ Lions, 8:15 p.m., ABC & ESPN+
Week 5: Saints @ Chiefs, 8:15 p.m., ESPN
Week 6: Bills @ Jets, 8:15 p.m., ESPN
Week 7 (doubleheader): Ravens @ Buccaneers, 8:15 p.m., ESPN
Week 7 (doubleheader): Chargers @ Cardinals, 9:00 PM, ESPN+
Week 8: Giants @ Steelers, 8:15 p.m., ESPN, ABC & ESPN+
Week 9: Buccaneers @ Chiefs, 8:15 p.m., ESPN
Week 10: Dolphins @ Rams, 8:15 p.m., ESPN
Week 11: Texans @ Cowboys, 8:15 p.m., ESPN
Week 12: Ravens @ Chargers, 8:15 p.m., ESPN
Week 13: Browns @ Broncos, 8:15 p.m., ESPN
Week 14: Bengals @ Cowboys, 8:15 p.m., ESPN, ABC & ESPN+
Week 15 (doubleheader): Bears @ Vikings, 8 p.m., ABC & ESPN+
Week 15 (doubleheader): Falcons @ Raiders, 8:30 p.m., ESPN
Week 16: Saints @ Packers, 8:15 p.m., ESPN
Week 17: Lions @ 49ers, 8:15 p.m., ESPN, ABC & ESPN+

Who is Jason Kelce?

Kelce played 13 seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles after being selected by the team in the sixth round of the 2011 NFL Draft. He is widely regarded as one of the best offensive linemen in Eagles history and one of the greatest centers of all time.

Kelce earned All-Pro honors six times, including in each of the past three years. It was an unlikely career, given Kelce’s early years — he walked on at the University of Cincinnati — and his relative lack of size for the position at 6-foot-3 and under 300 pounds.

Kelce spent most of his career as a respected Eagles fan but a relative unknown on the national sports landscape. That changed in the twilight of his career, when Kelce started a podcast with his brother Travis, an All-Pro tight end for the Kansas City Chiefs, in 2022 and starred in a 2023 Amazon documentary about his life. His fame skyrocketed to another level during the 2023 football season when his brother publicly began dating Taylor Swift.

What other media roles does Jason Kelce hold?

In addition to his Monday Night Football gig, Kelce will continue to co-host the New Heights podcast with Travis, which Amazon’s Wondery recently acquired for more than $100 million.

He also has sponsorship deals with Buffalo Wild Wings, Wawa and Campbell’s Soup, among others.

Will Jason Kelce cover a Philadelphia Eagles game?

Kelce will be on ESPN’s Monday Night Football coverage when the Eagles host the Atlanta Falcons for their home game on Sept. 16. ESPN will broadcast live from Xfinity Live, the sports bar next to Lincoln Financial Field, the Eagles’ home stadium.

“It’s a bold decision,” Kelce told The Inquirer. “It’s going to be crazy. I really don’t know how it’s going to work.”

Brandon Holveck covers high school sports for The News Journal. Contact him at [email protected].