Long-range field goals are transforming the landscape of the NFL, and former Philadelphia Eagles All-Pro center Jason Kelce is voicing his concerns about the trend.
“Kickers are making 60-yarders like it’s routine,” Kelce remarked during a recent episode of his podcast, “New Heights.” He argued for a significant change: “We need to narrow these field goal posts. It’s too easy to kick field goals right now. We should consider switching to rugby goal posts. Kickers should not be influencing football games as much as they currently do. We need to make kickers less valuable.”
“That is not what football is about,” he emphasized.
Kelce added with a hint of humor, “Just throw the ball through the uprights. Why do we have to have this guy come out here and kick it, as if he doesn’t belong on the football field? I don’t want these guys wearing soccer shoes — and you can’t touch them, yet we pretend this is a football play.”
He acknowledged Jake Elliott, the Eagles’ kicker, saying, “Shout out to Jake Elliott, he’s a great kicker, but I just disagree with everything about it.”
Elliott has had a solid season so far, going 4 of 5 on field goals and a perfect 8 for 8 on extra points. His longest successful kick this season has been from 38 yards, but he has previously made two impressive 61-yard field goals and holds a career record of 26 out of 38 on attempts from 50 yards or more.
Kelce, who retired after a distinguished 13-year career with the Eagles, is a six-time All-Pro. He co-hosts “New Heights” with his brother, Travis Kelce, a star tight end for the Kansas City Chiefs.
Travis Kelce has faced a slow start this season, recording only 24 receptions for 228 yards and no touchdowns. Meanwhile, the undefeated Chiefs (5-0) benefit from the skills of kicker Harrison Butker, who is 12 of 14 this season, with a long of 53 yards. Butker made a remarkable 62-yard field goal in 2022 and has a career success rate of 68.2% on kicks from 50 yards or more.
