Eagles’ Super Bowl champion hints at NFL retirement after confirming new job

Sep 9, 2026 - 11:15

NFL Media are introducing some new talent to the team in 2026.

On the eve of the 2026 NFL season getting underway, it was announced that former quarterback Cody Kessler and former wide receiver Nelson Agholor would be joining as analysts for NFL GameDay Preview.

Kessler's NFL playing career was short-lived but now he finds himself in a media role — Kessler’s NFL playing career was short-lived but now he finds himself in a media role

The program streams at 11:30 a.m. ET on Sundays and at 7:30 p.m. on Mondays and Thursdays.

Kessler will additionally be contributing to coverage of other events including the NFL Scouting Combine, NFL Draft, and Super Bowl.

His return to the league, albeit now in a media capacity, comes six years after officially retiring from his playing career.

The former USC quarterback was drafted in the third round – 93rd overall – of the 2016 draft by the Cleveland Browns.

He went 0-8 in his rookie season as the Browns’ starter under center, and won just two games in his pro career.

Across three seasons for the Browns and Jacksonville Jaguars, in which he made just 17 total appearances (12 starts), he had a 64.2 percent pass completion rate from his 349 pass attempts for eight touchdowns to five interceptions.

NFL Media adds Super Bowl champion

Kessler’s former Trojans teammate Agholor, on the other hand, enjoyed a longer career in the league after being drafted in the first round – 20th overall pick – of the 2015 draft.

In 10 seasons from 2015-2024 across four teams including the Raiders and New England Patriots, Agholor featured in 149 games, and registered 4,858 receiving yards for 37 touchdowns.

His most productive year came in 2017, where he notched 62 receptions for 768 yards and eight touchdowns.

This also just so happened to be the year in which the Philadelphia Eagles claimed Super Bowl LII victory.

Agholor was part of the Eagles team that won Super Bowl LII in 2017

The WR last played for the Ravens in 2024, but hasn't officially announced his retirement before accepting a new role in the media — The WR last played for the Ravens in 2024, but hasn’t officially announced his retirement before accepting a new role in the media

In a 41-33 win over the Patriots, Agholor played a crucial role, catching nine passes for 84 yards.

The 33-year-old last featured for the Baltimore Ravens in the 2024 campaign and has been out of the league since.

Although he hasn’t officially announced his retirement from the NFL, this new career move suggests he has quietly pivoted into the next phase of his professional career.

Having played for both contending teams and those who struggled for wins during his career, Agholor is in a strong position to be able to bring his knowledge of the NFL to a wide-ranging audience.

Furthermore, being just two years removed from playing, he also knows the vast majority of players well, which will also benefit him as he transitions into his new role of breaking down the game.

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