Jason Kelce offers his opinion on LeBron James’ NFL fit
Oct 9, 2022; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce (62) against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Could LeBron James have made a career out of playing in the NFL? It is a question that has been debated for years, and has recently come up again in sports talk circles.
ESPN’s Ryan Clark waded into the debate recently by arguing that few NBA players are athletic enough to play in the NFL, and that even fewer have the sort of mentality it would take to be successful in the league. Longtime Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce, however, felt differently.
Kelce believes that, given a year to adjust, James could become the most dangerous red zone threat in the game if he were to try to play pro football.
I love this argument and passion from Ryan, and as a football player my mind is screaming hell yea!!! But, if I was an NFL GM, and it was an option, I’d sign Lebron today and within one offseason he’d be the greatest redzone threat in the NFL. https://t.co/wjG8Ku99WP
— Jason Kelce (@JasonKelce) May 11, 2024
“If I was an NFL GM, and it was an option, I’d sign LeBron today and within one offseason he’d be the greatest red zone threat in the NFL,” Kelce wrote.
NFL reporter James Palmer added that a number of coaches he has talked to over the years believe the same: James could be elite if he spent a year on the practice squad.
I’ve had this fun conversation with a lot of NFL coaches over the years about LeBron and most believe what Jason said here. You give him a year on PS and the next season he’d be outstanding. https://t.co/9S96OLw1Ah
— James Palmer (@JamesPalmerTV) May 11, 2024
This is a moot point, as LeBron is never going to try to play in the NFL. However, he was a standout football player in high school and even attracted the attention of Urban Meyer. Had he devoted his career to it, he might have had a chance, but his NBA career has gone more than well enough.