Jason Kelce Embraces Browns After 4-2 Start

Cleveland's 4-2 start has prompted former Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce to publicly embrace his hometown team, as the Browns moved to the top of the AFC North after defeating the Baltimore Ravens. During ESPN's Monday Night Football coverage, Kelce celebrated the team's position and identified himself with Cleveland's supporters.

According to reports from Yahoo Sports and AOL published October 20, 2026, the Browns have won four of their first six games. Although several victories were closely contested, the results have placed the young team in a leading position within its division.

Kelce's comments marked a shift in his on-air allegiance. The retired offensive lineman previously used collective language to describe the Eagles, whom he represented for 13 seasons and helped lead to a Super Bowl victory.

During the ESPN broadcast, Kelce connected Cleveland's divisional standing to his personal roots in the area.

"The Cleveland Browns are the top of the AFC North," Kelce said. "I'm from Cleveland. We've been waiting for this moment, fellas. We're finally here."

He continued celebrating the team's record and its victory over Baltimore, emphasizing the significance of Cleveland's position in the division.

"We're leading it, baby. We're 4-2. We just beat the Ravens.

That never happens," Kelce said. "We are 4-2, and we're doing it."

Kelce was born in Westlake, Ohio, and grew up in the Cleveland area. He played college football at the University of Cincinnati, the same school attended by his younger brother, Travis Kelce, who has also maintained visible ties to Cleveland sports.

Travis Kelce previously urged the Browns to draft him while he was leaving Cincinnati for the NFL. He has attended games involving Cleveland teams and acquired an ownership stake in the Cleveland Guardians, according to Yahoo Sports.

Jason Kelce's renewed identification with Cleveland follows earlier discussion about his tendency to use the word "we" when discussing his former team. His repeated references to Philadelphia during ESPN coverage attracted attention after the Eagles lost to the Chicago Bears.

Pat McAfee joked about Kelce's wording during a live broadcast, prompting Kelce to apologize to Bears supporters. McAfee later clarified that the remark was playful, while former ESPN analyst Ryan Clark defended Kelce's connection to Philadelphia after his lengthy playing career there.

Football fans have expressed differing views on whether Kelce should maintain a neutral tone as a broadcaster. Some support his continued connection to the teams that shaped his life, while others expect more impartial commentary from ESPN personalities.

ESPN producer Jeff Dufine acknowledged that the network's crew has tried to curb Kelce's habit of identifying with teams on air.

"We've tried to get the 'we' out of him," Dufine said, according to The Philadelphia Inquirer.

Kelce's next scheduled commentary assignment is Week 7's international matchup between the Pittsburgh Steelers and New Orleans Saints at Stade de France in Paris.