Jason Kelce has decided to conclude his late-night television experiment after just one season, opting not to pursue a second installment of his ESPN program in 2026. The former Philadelphia Eagles center, who transitioned to broadcasting following his retirement from professional football, made the personal choice to step away from the weekly commitment in favor of exploring alternative ventures during the offseason.
The program, titled They Call It Late Night with Jason Kelce, represented a unique fusion of traditional late-night talk show elements with sports-centric content. Kelce first unveiled the project on Jimmy Kimmel Live! in November 2024, generating considerable buzz among both sports enthusiasts and comedy fans. The series ultimately produced five episodes, which were filmed at Union Transfer in Philadelphia and broadcast during the final stretch of the NFL regular season and postseason.
Airing in the challenging late Friday night and early Saturday morning time slots on ESPN, the show benefited from replay distribution across ESPN2 and digital platforms including ESPN+ and YouTube. This multi-platform approach reflected ESPN's strategy to maximize reach for an experimental format targeting a niche audience. The timing presented inherent difficulties, as late-night weekend slots typically draw smaller audiences than prime-time programming, making the show's performance difficult to measure by conventional metrics.
The production brought together several heavyweight partners. NFL Films collaborated with Kelce's own Wooderboy Productions and Skydance Sports to create the series. Perhaps most notably, Kelce recruited veteran comedy writers Andy Blitz and Jon Glaser, both alumni of the acclaimed Late Night with Conan O'Brien, to help craft the show's comedic identity. This creative decision underscored Kelce's ambition to deliver something more ambitious than standard sports analysis programming. The involvement of NFL Films added production value and authenticity, while the partnership with Skydance Sports brought additional resources and industry expertise.
The show's nomenclature itself paid homage to NFL Films' 1967 documentary They Call it Pro Football, demonstrating Kelce's respect for the production company that was now helping bring his vision to life. Growing up as a devoted viewer of Conan O'Brien's work, Kelce frequently cited the iconic host as a primary inspiration for his own foray into the genre. This blend of sports heritage and comedy tradition created an intriguing premise that distinguished the program from typical ESPN offerings.
When the inaugural episode premiered on January 3, it attracted an audience of 290,000 viewers on ESPN. While modest by prime-time sports standards, ESPN leadership maintained perspective on the experimental nature of the venture. Burke Magnus, ESPN's president of content, emphasized in a New York Times interview that the network wasn't fixating on ratings for a five-episode trial. He suggested that determining the program's future would involve considerations beyond mere numbers, describing the evaluation process as "a little bit more art than science." This comment reflected an understanding that innovative programming often requires time to find its audience and refine its approach.
The show's creative ambitions didn't go unnoticed within the industry. In February 2025, They Call It Late Night with Jason Kelce received a Writers Guild Award nomination in the Comedy/Variety Talk Special category. This recognition validated the program's commitment to quality writing and innovative format, distinguishing it from typical sports talk fare. For a freshman effort to earn such acknowledgment suggested that the creative team had successfully executed their vision, even if the show faced practical challenges.
However, Kelce himself acknowledged the inherent difficulties of the undertaking. During a February appearance on the Fitz & Whit podcast, he candidly discussed the show's challenges, admitting that producing a comedy-driven late-night series was considerably more demanding than hosting a conventional sports panel discussion. He conceded that a straightforward talk show format would have been easier to execute but expressed pride in the creative team's efforts. Kelce also noted his own development throughout the five-episode run, explaining how he studied his performances to identify areas for improvement—a discipline familiar from his playing days. This self-awareness and commitment to growth demonstrated the same work ethic that made him a six-time All-Pro center.
Throughout 2025, discussions about the program's future continued between Kelce and ESPN. Various possibilities were explored, including relocating production from Philadelphia or modifying the format to address the challenges encountered during the first season. Some conversations reportedly centered on simplifying the production process or adjusting the comedic elements to better align with Kelce's strengths. Despite ESPN's willingness to continue and support for the project, Kelce ultimately determined that his offseason time would be better spent pursuing diverse opportunities rather than committing to another weekly series.
ESPN announced this week that Kelce will participate in select special events during the offseason instead. His first such assignment will be coverage of the NHL Stadium Series this Sunday at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, featuring the Lightning versus Bruins matchup. This approach allows the network to leverage Kelce's popularity and broadcasting skills in a more flexible, event-based capacity rather than through fixed weekly programming. The hockey assignment demonstrates ESPN's confidence in Kelce's versatility as a broadcaster capable of covering sports beyond his football expertise.
The network has been clear that this shift doesn't signal a diminished partnership. Kelce remains under contract with ESPN as a featured analyst on Monday Night Countdown during the NFL season, and the company has expressed enthusiasm about developing additional projects with him as opportunities emerge. The relationship appears to be evolving rather than contracting, with both parties exploring the most effective ways to utilize Kelce's talents. This flexible arrangement benefits both sides, allowing Kelce to maintain his offseason freedom while ESPN retains access to one of their most promising personalities.
The decision to conclude the late-night show reflects Kelce's thoughtful approach to his post-playing career. Rather than automatically extending a project that presented significant creative and logistical challenges, he chose to maintain flexibility and explore various broadcasting roles. This strategy mirrors how many athletes navigate their second careers, testing different formats before settling into sustainable long-term positions. His honesty about the difficulties involved has only enhanced his reputation as a thoughtful, evolving media personality who prioritizes quality over quantity.
For ESPN, the experiment provided valuable insights into original late-night programming and demonstrated the network's willingness to invest in innovative concepts. While the show won't continue in its current form, the lessons learned and relationships developed may influence future programming decisions. The network's supportive stance throughout the process, even as Kelce decided to step away, reinforces their commitment to talent development and creative risk-taking.
Kelce's brief but memorable stint in late-night television added another dimension to his growing broadcasting portfolio. From his prominent role on Monday Night Countdown to special event coverage and now a foray into comedy-variety programming, he continues to expand his repertoire beyond traditional sports analysis. The Writers Guild nomination suggests that despite its short run, the show made a respectable impact in creative circles and could open doors for future non-traditional sports programming.
Industry observers note that Kelce's approach reflects a broader trend of athletes seeking more creative control and diverse opportunities in media. Rather than simply providing game analysis, many former players are exploring storytelling, comedy, and long-form content creation. Kelce's willingness to take risks and his transparency about the learning curve may encourage other athletes to pursue unconventional media projects.
As the 2026 offseason approaches, fans can expect to see Kelce in various capacities across ESPN's programming, just not behind a late-night desk on a weekly basis. His journey from the football field to the broadcast booth—and briefly to the late-night stage—exemplifies the modern athlete's transition into media. While They Call It Late Night with Jason Kelce may have been a limited series, it demonstrated Kelce's range and ESPN's willingness to innovate, leaving both parties well-positioned for future collaborations.