PHILADELPHIA — Watching from the outside this time, Jason Kelce saw the same things Eagles fans had been talking about for weeks. The same issues. The same breakdowns. And ultimately, the same ending.
The Eagles’ season came to a close Sunday night with a 23–19 loss to the San Francisco 49ers at the Linc, marking the seventh straight game in which Philadelphia failed to score 20 points against a team with a winning record. From Kelce’s vantage point, the flaws were familiar.
“It’s frustrating,” Kelce said. “You see how hard those guys work, and you want to see a product on the field that people can be proud of and that wins football games. But it’s been a common theme. It just didn’t come together.”
Philadelphia showed signs of life early, putting up 13 points and 188 yards in the first half. But the second half mirrored much of the season: only six points, 119 yards, no explosive plays through the air, too many three and outs, and little response once adjustments were made.
“It’s easy to think that once a team gets to the playoffs, things will suddenly change,” Kelce said. “But looking back, there really weren’t many games this season where the offense put together two complete halves.”
Kelce also acknowledged what the 49ers did well, pointing to San Francisco’s ability to adjust as the game wore on.
“They did a great job adjusting,” he said of the 49ers’ coaching staff. “That showed.”
When asked about offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo and the growing criticism around the play calling, Kelce avoided singling out one person. Instead, he framed the struggles as something broader and systemic.
“It’s easy for people to point the finger at one guy,” Kelce said. “That’s part of this business. But when you watch it closely, it wasn’t just one person. Not enough plays were made across the board.”
From the outside, Kelce said the issues looked self inflicted and familiar. Penalties at the wrong time. Drops on key downs. Missed chances when momentum was there.
“There was a lot of self inflicted stuff,” he said. “Little things that add up. Especially in critical moments and critical games like the playoffs. Those same themes kept showing up.”
Despite individual success and regular season wins, Kelce admitted that none of it carries much weight without postseason success.
“I come from the school of thought that if you don’t win a Super Bowl, the season feels like a disappointment,” he said. “There’s only one winner and 31 teams that don’t get what they came for.”
Now, as the Eagles head into an offseason filled with questions, Kelce believes the pain of this loss should linger.
“It should hurt,” he said. “Watching it, you can feel that frustration. That adversity has to sit with you for a while. Eventually, that’s what fuels growth going into the next season.”
From someone who knows exactly what championship standards look like in Philadelphia, Kelce’s assessment landed with weight. Not angry. Not dramatic. Just honest.
