The Steelers Changed Jason Kelce's NFL Career In The Most Unusual Way Back In 2016

The Pittsburgh Steelers have a rich history of great and iconic centers. Interestingly, they also played a role in helping former Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce regain momentum in his career. Kelce's career was exceptional, with a trajectory that any center would envy.

Kelce recently retired after playing 13 seasons, all with the Eagles. During his illustrious career, he became a seven-time Pro Bowler, a six-time All-Pro, and a Super Bowl champion. However, before achieving these accolades, Kelce found himself in a difficult spot around 2016. Despite making the Pro Bowl that year, he laughs now, considering it his worst season in the NFL.

On The Pivot Podcast with Ryan Clark, Channing Crowder, and Fred Taylor, Kelce explained that transitioning from the Chip Kelly era to Doug Pederson's system was challenging. He had developed bad techniques under Kelly, making it difficult to adjust to the new coaching style and figure things out.

"I say the 2016 season, the only two games I'm upset with from that season are the first two. We got things fixed relatively quickly… We played the Browns early on. Danny Shelton beat the crap out of me. I was playing with hands [wide], l'm high, the technique is atrocious."

Kelce believes the Eagles quickly figured things out, and the 2016 season wasn't a total loss, but he admits he was in a dark place during that time. 

He credits his performance against the Steelers in the Eagles' 34-3 victory as the turning point that saved his career and changed it for the better.

"We played the Steelers the next week. I actually thought I played really f***ing good against the Steelers. I think I'm balling. I look at the grade, you look at the grade afterward now that PFF (Pro Football Focus) is out, and I'm like, 'Man, I thought I played great. These guys are saying I'm still sh**ty? I don't know what's going on.'"

Although Kelce's comments aren’t explicitly a compliment to the Steelers, it's fascinating to see how Pittsburgh played a role in shaping what would become a likely Hall of Fame career. Kelce elaborated on how that 2016 game against the Steelers was a pivotal moment that significantly altered the course of his career.

"After that Steelers game, I settled into the new offense a lot better. I was utilizing better technique. And then with a full offseason of doing that and continuing that with Stout, it took off the following season."

Starting in 2016, Kelce was selected to either the Pro Bowl or the First-Team AP All-Pro team for the remainder of his career. He credits that standout game against the Steelers as a turning point, though he admits he's unsure how his career might have unfolded without it. Football pundits would likely believe that Kelce would have found his way regardless.

Steelers Stole Jason Kelce From The Browns

While Steeler Nation didn't enjoy that game as much as Kelce did, there's an interesting twist: Kelce became a Steelers fan because of Jerome Bettis. So Kelce actually grew up a fan of the Black and Gold. Funny enough they were the team that he credits for helping him get his career back on track. Though not in a positive way for the Steelers. 

Growing up in New Heights, near where the Cleveland Browns played, Kelce lost his team when the Browns moved to Baltimore. In response, he became a makeshift Steelers fan because of Bettis. 

#SteelerNation