Jason Kelce’s Career Beyond Football: Late-Night TV, Podcasts, Hollywood Projects & What’s Next

Mian Hamid September 16, 2025

N E E D   T O   K N O W

  • Jason Kelce is hosting his own late-night TV show on ESPN, filmed live in Philadelphia.

  • His New Heights podcast deal with Amazon topped $100 million, cementing his media empire.

  • The Kelce documentary became Prime Video’s #1 movie within 24 hours of release.

  • Kelce is exploring music with The Philly Specials, raising money for charity.

  • Hollywood, broadcasting, and live events—Kelce’s post-football career is only heating up.

From Center Stage to Center Screen: Jason Kelce’s Evolving Media & Entertainment Career

Jason Kelce’s Career Beyond Football: Late-Night TV, Podcasts, Hollywood Projects & What’s Next

The day Jason Kelce walked away from professional football, he didn’t step off a platform — he began building a whole new one. Retired but far from idle, Kelce has been steadily expanding his presence in broadcasting, television, podcasting, music, and documentary film. What started with tackle-after-tackle on the gridiron has shifted to jokes, interviews, and a spotlight that spans beyond sports. Here’s how Kelce is writing his next act, and why it matters beyond the stat sheets.

Enter the Media World: More Than Commentary

One of Kelce’s first major moves post-retirement was stepping into television. In April 2024, he joined ESPN’s Monday Night Countdown as an analyst, bringing in deep field understanding plus charm, often forgotten in game breakdowns.

Then came a bigger leap into late-night: They Call It Late Night with Jason Kelce. Announced November 21, 2024, the show premiered on January 4, 2025, airing on ESPN (with repeats on ESPN2) and streaming via ESPN+ and Kelce’s YouTube channel.

The format is familiar — comedic monologues, celebrity and sports guests, football breakdowns — but the vibe is uniquely Jason. The show is taped in front of a live audience at Union Transfer in Philadelphia, his hometown, featuring the Philly band SNACKTIME as house band.

Kelce himself has said:

“I loved late-night shows. I’ve always loved them. I remember sleepovers watching Conan O’Brien with my friends.”

Podcast Power & Brother Acts

Jason Kelce’s Career Beyond Football: Late-Night TV, Podcasts, Hollywood Projects & What’s Next

Even before hanging up the cleats, Kelce (with his brother Travis Kelce) had launched New Heights, a sports-and-culture podcast which has become a cornerstone of his post-NFL voice.

In August 2024, New Heights landed a major deal with Amazon, reportedly worth over $100 million. That’s not just a win for football talk — it’s a sign that Kelce is considered valuable content beyond dominating the center position.

Film, Music & Documentaries: The Story Beyond the Field

Jason Kelce’s story has already been told — or at least, documented. The feature film Kelce (2023) followed him across both his football responsibilities and his personal life — the weighty decisions, the spectacle, the vulnerability. It struck a chord: within 24 hours of its Amazon Prime release, Kelce became the #1 most-watched movie in the U.S. on Prime.

But that’s not all. Kelce is also part of a surprising trio off the field: The Philly Specials, a Christmas music group with fellow Eagles teammates, recording holiday albums. The proceeds go to charity. It might seem an odd fit for a guy known for the line of scrimmage, but it reflects his wider interests — community, creativity, and keeping roots in Philly alive.

What Drives His Transition: Voice, Roots, Authenticity

Jason Kelce’s Career Beyond Football: Late-Night TV, Podcasts, Hollywood Projects & What’s Next

Kelce has been open about how difficult the transition from athlete to broadcaster / entertainer has been. He’s spoken in interviews about missing the routine, the community, the discipline of football. But he’s also embraced the part about being heard in different ways. 

He’s said in regard to post-NFL life:

“In some ways, I wish I wasn’t as big of a name, so I could even be more normal with fans … But nonetheless, it’s been awesome interacting with fans more.”

Those remarks underscore that being public still means trade-offs: privacy, perceptions, the demands of being “on.” Yet, those same trade-offs open doors — in media, in entertainment, in reaching people beyond stadiums.

What’s Next: Projects to Watch

Based on current trajectories and early signals, here’s where Kelce’s career seems likely to head next:

  • More seasons of They Call It Late Night with Jason Kelce, potentially expanding beyond a seasonal run. Fans have responded well to his ability to blend sports analysis with humor and local flavor.

  • Further development of content in film / documentaries. Given the success of Kelce, there’s likely appetite (on both sides) for deeper storytelling — about family, the cost of the game, retirement, mental health.

  • Expansion of audio / podcast ventures: more guest stars, perhaps spin-offs, possibly other hosts under his brand.

  • Potential for more acting or cameo roles: his early appearances in It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Abbott Elementary, and Saturday Night Live show he’s already dipped toes in scripted entertainment.

  • Entrepreneurial content crossovers — combining his media voice with brand partnerships, possibly documentary work, or content/platform ownership.

Why Jason Kelce’s Career Journey Resonates

Jason Kelce’s Career Beyond Football: Late-Night TV, Podcasts, Hollywood Projects & What’s Next

Authenticity over polish — Kelce doesn’t try to be someone else. His authenticity — his Philadelphia accent, his love of late-night shows, his jokes, his vulnerability — makes his media work feel relatable.
Versatility — not just a pundit, or just a former player. He’s mixing podcasting, music, documentaries, live shows. That breadth helps build resilience.
Rooted identity — Philly doesn’t feel like just a backdrop. He continues to draw from his hometown values, his family, and his Eagles legacy. That grounds his projects in realness.
Embracing change — retirement is often treated as an end, but for Kelce, it looks more like a pivot. He’s using what he built in one life (football) as foundation for the next.

Takeaways for Audiences

  • If you liked Kelce (the documentary), expect more content that peels back layers — career, family, choices.

  • They Call It Late Night … isn’t just sports talk; it’s culture, humor, personal reflection — tuned for both Eagles fans and people who just love good, authentic late-night.

  • Kelce’s journey illustrates that identity and value aren’t tied solely to one profession. Reinvention doesn’t erase past, it expands future.

Jason Kelce’s career post-football has already made major strides. He’s no longer just the guy behind center — he’s the guy behind the mic, behind the camera, behind the scenes. And as long as he keeps pushing forward, fans (sports or entertainment) will be watching.

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