Jason Kelce Clears The Air Over Doug Pederson 'Confrontation' Rumors
Jason Kelce, the Eagles 10-year veteran center and Super Bowl champion leader, said enough is enough Wednesday as he took to social media to clear the air over the rumors that Eagles players had to be held back from confronting head coach Doug Pederson during Sunday's game. Philly media was pushing a narrative that things were very heated over Pederson's decision to use Nate Sudfeld in the fourth quarter against the Washington Football Team.
Take Kelce's word to the bank. If Kelce says this is how things happened, this is how they happened.
"Thought I would clear the air just to clarify and more accurately depict what happened during the game on Sunday," Kelce wrote on Instagram. "At the end of the third quarter I was told on the bench that Sudfeld was going in the game. I went up to Doug and asked him if was taking Hurts out, he said “yes, I think Nate’s earned the right to play.” I said, “everyone else is staying in?” He said “absolutely.” I then went to Suddy. Started taking snaps on the sideline with him, called the other linemen over and had them listen to his snap count to make sure everyone was on the rhythm of his cadence, and then went out for the next drive.
"At no point was anything from me or anyone else confrontational. We all knew leading into the game that Sudfeld was told to be ready to play, and that Doug wanted to see what he could do in a game situation. All of us during the week leading up were excited for Nate, a guy that has been with us for four years to get an opportunity in a real game to show the world what he can do. We all have complete confidence in Nate as a player, there’s a reason he’s been here this long, and a reason the team brought him back. And that’s because we feel like Nate is a guy we can win with.
"I understand the optics of how it looked, and I’d be lying if I wasn’t a little surprised given the circumstances that the move happened when it did, but every one of us did our best, and all of us believe we can win with Nate Sudfeld. It was a difficult situation to be put into, especially when you have a 10-year veteran center who doesn’t snap the ball to you accurately on your second drive of the game. I know we can win games with Nate, because I know Suddy can pay, it didn’t work out Sunday, but as always, that’s not just on him.”