3 centers who could replace Steelers’ Maurkice Pouncey if he retires

Jason Kelce, Philadelphia Eagles

We all knew a reach was coming eventually. However, multiple perspectives can make this move sound reasonable by face value.

Let’s not sugarcoat it, the Eagles are an absolute mess right now. The quarterback situation is looking iffy, head coach Doug Pederson was canned (a move that not everyone agreed with), and Philly could not even muster to compete for a division title when the entire NFC East was left with a losing record for each team. Dallas lost starting QB Dak Prescott early in the season to injury, Washington was somewhat formidable only when Alex Smith was on the field, and New York was, well, New York. However, not even the magic of big bad Carson Wentz could get this team to sniffing a .500 record. So all of that probably fails to leave Kelce with a warm and fuzzy feeling.

The Eagles center earned his fourth Pro Bowl bid this season while being only 33 years of age. So a veteran no doubt, but he should still have a good amount of gas left in the tank. How long until he starts feeling that he is too good to stick around in Philadelphia for any longer than he already has, assuming that he does not already feel that way?

It’s not like Pittsburgh is on the other side of the country, he would still be in the same state, so it would not be too far of a trip if he did open up to the idea of repping the black and gold for a bit. He would have a better shot of hoisting up another Lombardi Trophy, that’s for sure. And with the Eagles in such disarray, they would be all the more open to a trade deal. That way everybody wins, assuming that they would not want overly much. But in their current condition, how picky can they be?

Regardless of whether or not Maurkice Pouncey retires just yet, or of who may be called upon to take his place, it is safe to say that his career with the Steelers has been spectacular from draft day to the last game Pittsburgh played. All that we Steelers fans can hope is that whoever succeeds him has at least a pinch of the passion, longevity, and greatness that he has displayed both on and off the field throughout his time representing the City of Champions.