Jason Kelce Redefines the Center Position

Traditionally, the center position in the NFL was seen as the anchor of the offensive line – a role player responsible for snapping the ball and holding down the interior of the line of scrimmage. While important, centers were not typically viewed as athletic playmakers. Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce has changed that perception, redefining what is expected from the position in today’s NFL through his elite mobility, athleticism, and impact on offensive scheme.

When Kelce entered the league as a sixth round pick out of Cincinnati in 2011, he brought a new level of athleticism to the center position that had not been seen before. At 6’3 and 295 pounds, Kelce was undersized for an NFL center by traditional standards. However, what he lacked in size he more than made up for with his quickness, agility, and mobility. Unlike most centers of the past who were more plodding blockers content to hold their ground near the line of scrimmage, Kelce showed the ability to get out in space and make blocks far down the field.

Kelce’s impressive athletic testing numbers at the NFL Combine highlighted his rare movement skills for an interior lineman. He ran the 40-yard dash in 5.11 seconds and had a short shuttle time of 4.58 seconds, both excellent results that placed him among the most athletic offensive linemen that year. His mobility and quick feet allowed Kelce to block effectively in space on screen passes and option plays, a valuable asset for an offense looking to incorporate more movement and deception into their blocking schemes.

When Kelce entered the NFL, the league was already starting to shift towards prioritizing athleticism and movement across the offensive line. Spread concepts and zone blocking schemes that relied on linemen blocking in space were becoming more prevalent. However, Kelce took it to another level by bringing this new style of play to the center position, which had traditionally been the most stationary role on the offensive line.

His rare athletic gifts for the position allowed Eagles offensive coordinator Chip Kelly, who was at the forefront of innovative schemes utilizing pre-snap motion and misdirection, to fully unlock his playbook. Kelly could design plays that took advantage of Kelce’s mobility, having him pull from his center position or block on the perimeter far away from the line of scrimmage. This opened up opportunities for big plays that defenses weren’t accustomed to defending against from the center.

Kelce’s impact was immediately felt. As a rookie, he started all 16 games and helped pave the way for an Eagles rushing attack that led the NFL with 160.4 yards per game on the ground. His mobility and athleticism in the screen game was also on display, as he consistently made blocks 20 or more yards downfield. Kelce showed he could be the type of center who was just as effective blocking in space as he was along the interior of the line.

In the years since, Kelce has cemented his status as one of the best centers in the NFL thanks to his unique blend of strength, quickness, and football IQ. He has made the Pro Bowl in four of the last five seasons while anchoring the Eagles offensive line. But more importantly, he has changed expectations for what the center position can be in today’s NFL through his rare athletic traits and the scheme versatility they provide.

Where centers were once primarily asked to hold their ground and protect the interior of the pocket, Kelce showed they could be full-fledged playmakers. His ability and willingness to get out in space on screens, pulls, and downfield blocks transformed the role. No longer were centers limited to a stationary, one-dimensional role – they could impact the game in all areas of the field using their athleticism.

Kelce’s success with the Eagles directly led other teams to prioritize similar traits when evaluating centers both in the draft and free agency. His prototype of an undersized but incredibly mobile and agile interior blocker became the new standard at the position. Centers were now expected to move well laterally and in open space, not just anchor the line in pass protection.

Teams looked to draft centers with testing numbers and movement skills comparable to what Kelce brought. Players like Frank Ragnow of the Detroit Lions (40-yard dash time of 5.06 seconds at the Combine), Garrett Bradbury of the Minnesota Vikings (4.92 40, 7.25 3-cone drill), and Creed Humphrey of the Kansas City Chiefs (4.98 40, 7.41 3-cone) have all thrived early in their careers due in large part to their athletic traits that allow them to impact the game in the mold of Kelce.

Free agent centers were also prioritized if they fit this new prototype. Players like Corey Linsley of the Los Angeles Chargers (5.00 40 at his Pro Day), who signed a lucrative free agent deal in 2021, and Ryan Jensen of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5.21 40, 4.53 short shuttle) have been paid top dollar based on their athleticism and movement skills translating well to the evolving NFL game.

The success of the Eagles’ rushing attacks during Kelce’s tenure in Philadelphia further reinforced that this new athletic, mobile style was optimal for offensive line play in the modern NFL. From 2013-2020 under Kelce, the Eagles finished in the top 10 in rushing yards per game five times. They led the league twice during that span.

With Kelce as the catalyst, the Eagles established a physical, punishing ground attack built on misdirection and pulling linemen that wore opponents down. This allowed their play-action passing game, which he also excelled at selling with his movement pre-snap, to thrive off of stacked boxes. The Eagles made the playoffs six times in eight years using this rushing-oriented, athletic offensive line-centric system.

Other teams took notice and began following Philadelphia’s blueprint of prioritizing athletic, mobile offensive linemen who could execute zone blocking schemes and impact the game in space. The era of the plodding, stationary center had come to an end. Jason Kelce, through his unique skillset, showed that at the center position speed kills and athleticism rules the day in today’s NFL.

Nearly a decade into his career, Kelce remains one of the best centers in football at age 34 thanks to his continued high-level play. He is a constant on one of the league’s top offensive lines and a driving force behind Philadelphia’s continued rushing success. But perhaps Kelce’s greatest impact has been permanently changing expectations for what the center position demands through his trailblazing style of play.

In redefining the role, Kelce opened up opportunities for offensive coordinators to maximize their schemes. He proved centers could be versatile weapons, not just anchors. And he established the prototype for the modern NFL center – undersized but with rare athletic gifts that allow them to impact the game from sideline to sideline. Jason Kelce didn’t just have a great NFL career at center – he revolutionized how the position is viewed and played at the game’s highest level.