by Jason Kelce’s Career Strategies: How an Undrafted Rookie Became a Super Bowl Champion
When Jason Kelce went undrafted out of the University of Cincinnati in 2011, few would have predicted the incredible career he would go on to have with the Philadelphia Eagles. Now in his 11th season, Kelce has established himself as not only one of the best centers in the NFL, but also a leader on and off the field. Let’s take a look at some of the strategies and approaches that helped propel Kelce from an undrafted rookie to a Super Bowl champion.
Focus on Fundamentals
As an undrafted free agent, Kelce knew he had a lot to prove just to make an NFL roster. One of his biggest early focuses was mastering the technical aspects of playing center at the professional level. In the NFL, offensive line play is a battle of inches – a missed block or improper hand placement can result in a sack or blown play. Kelce spent countless hours in the film room and on the practice field refining his footwork, hand placement, blocking angles, and snap consistency.
Former Eagles offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland, who worked with Kelce for many years, emphasized the importance of fundamentals. “Technique is everything in this league. If your technique is poor, you won’t last. Jason worked extremely hard on his technique from the day he got here,” Stoutland said. Kelce took this message to heart. While some rookies try to rely on natural athleticism alone, Kelce knew technical mastery was essential for success at center in the NFL. His diligence in the weight room and on the practice field helped transform him from a relatively unknown rookie to a rock-solid starter.
Relentless Work Ethic
To make the leap from undrafted to NFL starter required an unrelenting work ethic from Kelce. He spent hours poring over the playbook and watching film to internalize defensive schemes and assignments. In the offseason, Kelce dedicated himself to strength and conditioning to get bigger and more powerful. Even during the season, he arrived early and stayed late to get extra reps.
Kelce’s work ethic was evident to his teammates and coaches. “The thing that always stood out about Jason was his work ethic and preparation. He outworked everybody,” said former Eagles offensive lineman Stefen Wisniewski. Eagles head coach Doug Pederson echoed this sentiment: “He’s one of the hardest working guys we have. He takes great pride in being physically and mentally prepared.” Kelce knew that to compensate for his lack of draft status, he had to outwork his opponents in the film room and weight room. His relentless approach is a big reason he has started over 100 consecutive games.
Building Strong Relationships
As the quarterback of the offensive line, Kelce understood the importance of teamwork from the beginning of his career. He focused on building strong relationships with his fellow offensive linemen by communicating effectively, understanding each player’s strengths and weaknesses, and helping bring the group together.
Former Eagles guard Brandon Brooks recalled how Kelce helped him transition to guard as a rookie: “The communication between Jason and I, he was really good at getting me acclimated to the offense and making sure I was on the same page.” Kelce also helped veteran linemen like Evan Mathis and Jason Peters further their careers with his leadership. By fostering cohesion and trust among his linemates, Kelce was able to elevate the unit’s performance through his presence alone.
Learning from Veterans
While Kelce put in the work independently, he was not too proud to learn from those around him. As an undrafted rookie, Kelce benefited greatly from the wisdom of veteran players like Mathis, Peters, and Todd Herremans. He picked their brains about technique, watched how they prepared, and learned from their experiences. Kelce was always looking to glean whatever knowledge he could from those who had achieved success in the NFL.
Mathis recalled how Kelce approached him as a rookie: “He was always asking questions, trying to learn. I could tell right away he had the drive and work ethic to be great.” Peters also noticed Kelce’s eagerness to learn: “He came in eager to work. We worked together a lot on footwork, hand placement, all the little things. I’m glad I could help him along.” By soaking up information from respected vets, Kelce accelerated his development process immensely. Their guidance no doubt played a role in Kelce’s rapid rise up the depth chart.
Overcoming Adversity
Kelce’s career has not been without its challenges. In 2014, he suffered a season-ending injury after starting just six games. Many wondered if he could regain his form after such a major setback. But Kelce responded by rededicating himself in his rehab and coming back stronger than ever the following year.
Kelce has also had to overcome doubters who questioned if an undrafted player could man the most important position on the offensive line. He has used slights, whether real or perceived, as motivation to prove people wrong. Kelce’s mental toughness and ability to overcome adversity have been driving forces in his success. As he says, “I think failing and facing adversity is what makes you who you are.”
Leadership on and off the Field
Beyond his play, Kelce has emerged as a locker room leader and respected voice in Philadelphia. Teammates look to him for guidance and respect his no-nonsense approach. But he also brings humor and helps keep things light. Kelce understands the importance of camaraderie and culture, which contributes to the Eagles’ winning mentality.
In the community, Kelce started his own clothing line, Be Well By Kelce, that promotes mental wellness. He has become an advocate for causes like anxiety and depression after overcoming his own struggles. Kelce understands the platform the NFL provides, so he uses it to help others. Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie said of Kelce: “He’s a great player but an even better person. He represents this team with class.”
Playing into his 30s
Few centers have enjoyed sustained success deep into their 30s, but Kelce continues to perform at an elite level in his 11th season. This is a testament to his strategy of taking incredible care of his body through training, diet, recovery, and preventative maintenance. Kelce treats every offseason like his career depends on it, because he understands one injury could be catastrophic at his age.
Kelce’s preparation and attention to detail have kept his body in shape to withstand the physical rigors of the NFL. He credits his longevity to his relentless work ethic. Kelce says: “I’ve worked my butt off since day one to be where I’m at. I don’t plan on slowing down anytime soon.” Barring any major setbacks, Kelce seems poised to continue performing at a high level for years to come.
Super Bowl Champion
Of course, the pinnacle of Kelce’s career came in 2017 when the Eagles won Super Bowl LII. After many years of coming up just short, Kelce was able to hoist the Lombardi Trophy on the biggest stage. All his strategies of fundamentals, work ethic, relationships and leadership had culminated in team success.
For an undrafted player to achieve football’s greatest prize is almost unheard of. But Kelce got to that point through dedication, perseverance and sheer force of will. His Super Bowl championship cemented a legacy as one of the great overachievers in NFL history. It served as validation that Kelce’s approach of outworking opponents and maximizing his abilities could lead to the ultimate prize.
Conclusion
Jason Kelce has defied the odds to become not only a mainstay in the NFL, but also a champion and leader. While his talent is undeniable, Kelce’s success stems from strategic approaches to mastering his craft, building relationships, overcoming adversity and leading with humility and care for others. For any player, but especially those without draft pedigree, Kelce’s career provides a blueprint for achievement through tireless preparation and a relentless work ethic. He has proven that superlative performance and longevity can be achieved by anyone willing to consistently commit to growth both on and off the field.
