Rivalries in the NFL are like a slow burn; they never really go away. And when you bring up the Philadelphia Eagles and the San Francisco 49ers, you can practically feel the heat rising.
This week, Eagles legend Jason Kelce opened up about the intense “hatred” he’s sensed from San Francisco during their past matchups.
What Did Jason Kelce Says About the Bad Blood Between the Eagles and 49ers?
Appearing on SportsRadio 94WIP, Kelce didn’t hesitate when asked whether the rivalry crossed into something more profound.
“I think definitely from the Niners standpoint,” Kelce said. “That became hatred from our standpoint probably after that following regular-season game.”
Kelce framed the tension as something that escalated after San Francisco walked into Philadelphia confident and left angry.
“They thought that they were going to take us down,” Kelce explained. “And they’re mad that the game is not going well for them. And then they’re also mad that Philadelphia’s giving them a hard time.”
From Kelce’s viewpoint, the 49ers’ reaction seemed a bit entitled. He implied that they expected to waltz in and dominate without facing any backlash from the fans.
.@49ers vs. @Eagles. Win or go home. 🍿
SFvsPHI– Sunday 4:30pm ET on FOX/FOX One
Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/qHHi23G3MC— NFL (@NFL) January 9, 2026
“What did you expect?” Kelce said. “You’re coming in here confident in our house trying to throw it in our face.”
The resentment didn’t just stop with Eagles fans, either. Kelce shared a story about a Minnesota Vikings fan he met overseas who still held a grudge from a playoff loss, highlighting how these moments can stick with people. He acknowledged that “we could go a little far.” But he framed the conflict as provoked.
A big part of the 49ers’ frustration, according to Kelce, came from the NFC Championship Game, where Brock Purdy got injured early on. The Eagles dominated the 49ers, 31-7, in that 2022 NFC Championship game. Some in San Francisco viewed the result as illegitimate.
Kelce rejected that narrative. He acknowledged Kyle Shanahan’s scheme put tight ends in challenging blocking situations but noted it’s a staple of the offense. And he went further.
“I still think we win the game if Brock’s in there,” Kelce said.
He praised Philadelphia’s defense that season. He pointed to the Eagles’ ability to run the ball. He cited how San Francisco’s linebackers struggled with RPO looks. Even Fred Warner, he noted, was neutralized by forcing hesitation.
This season, the Eagles sit at 24th in offense, with a 74.6 grade in PFSN’s NFL Offense Impact Metric. In comparison, the 49ers are ranked 7th with an 85.2 grade.
The Eagles and 49ers are once again set to meet up in the postseason, this time in a Wild Card game. Based on Kelce’s comments, it doesn’t seem like the bad blood between the two teams has lessened.
