ESPN Admits Struggle to Correct Jason Kelce's 'We' Bias in Booth

Key points

• ESPN producer Jeff Dufine admitted in an interview with the Philadelphia Inquirer that the network is trying to eliminate Kelce's habit of saying 'we' when referring to the Eagles.
• The controversy began during a September 28 halftime show where Kelce used 'we' multiple times to describe the Eagles' performance against the Bears, drawing immediate quips from Pat McAfee.
• Kelce apologized on air but continued the habit during a subsequent international broadcast in London, where the Eagles lost to the Jaguars.
• Dufine noted that while Kelce struggles with neutrality, he possesses strong game analysis skills, stating, 'He sees the game really well.'
• Kelce has been with ESPN since his 2024 retirement but only moved to the main broadcast booth for the 2026 season's international games.

Background

Jason Kelce joined ESPN after retiring from the NFL in 2024, initially serving as an analyst on 'Monday Night Countdown' alongside Pat McAfee. The network tested him in the broadcast booth during preseason before assigning him to international games in the 2026 season. This follows a broader trend of former athletes transitioning into media roles, a path successfully navigated by others like Ryan Clark, who defended Kelce's efforts.

How outlets are covering it

The New York Post and USA Today both highlight the 'we' issue as a central challenge for Kelce's transition, citing Dufine's admission. USA Today adds context about mixed fan reactions to Kelce's expanded role, noting some viewers experience 'Kelce fatigue.' MARCA emphasizes the social media backlash and the specific incident of Kelce's absence from the domestic booth due to his London assignment, framing the 'we' slip as a recurring neutrality concern. All sources agree that Dufine views Kelce's analytical talent as a strength despite the pronoun error.

Why it matters

The incident highlights the ongoing challenges former athletes face when transitioning to objective media roles, particularly regarding perceived bias. It also underscores ESPN's active role in coaching its talent to maintain professional standards, affecting how fans perceive the neutrality of sports broadcasting.

What to watch

Kelce is expected to continue his international broadcast duties for ESPN. The network will likely monitor his on-air language closely to ensure neutrality, while fans and critics will watch for any further slips in his commentary during upcoming games.