Jason Kelce is now on his ESPN producer's radar after the flub controversy, and the producer says they are trying to stop him from saying 'we' in the broadcast booth. The former Philadelphia center has been in the spotlight this season for his use of the word "we" when referring to his old team.
It is a habit that Kelce's ESPN colleague, Pat McAfee, subtly pointed out during a Monday Night Football game between the Eagles and Chicago Bears. Kelce has made use of the pronoun repeatedly during his halftime analysis, something he apologized for after McAfee highlighted it.
Now Kelce's ESPN producer, Jeff Dufine, who is geared up to fix it, has weighed in. "We've tried to get the 'we' out of him," Dufine told The Philadelphia Inquirer ahead of the Eagles' loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars in London.
Before the NFL's first international game in London in Week 4, Kelce had never appeared in a full game in the broadcast booth. Kelce joined the network after he hung up his cleats in 2024, making appearances as an analyst on Monday Night Countdown after he inked a three-year contract at a whopping $24 million.
However, it wasn't until the 2026 season that the network provided Kelce with an opportunity in the broadcast booth after he agreed to an international game package on the NFL network. The transition from player to broadcaster is often challenging, especially for athletes who have spent their entire careers deeply embedded in a specific team culture.
Kelce's struggle highlights the difficulty of maintaining professional neutrality while transitioning from the field to the studio. Fans have largely reacted with amusement to the situation, noting that Kelce's passion for the Philadelphia Eagles remains evident despite his new role as a media personality.
The network remains confident that with more experience, Kelce will adapt to the requirements of objective broadcasting. Producers are working closely with him during rehearsals to ensure he maintains the necessary distance from his former teammates.
As the season progresses, all eyes will be on whether Kelce can successfully shed his player-centric vocabulary. For now, the "we" controversy remains a lighthearted talking point in the world of sports media.
Kelce continues to be a major draw for ESPN, with his unique insights and personality driving engagement across their various platforms.