Eagles' Kelce: Teammates weren't 'confrontational' after Week 17 QB switch

Jason Kelce provided some clarity on reports of a sideline altercation during the Philadelphia Eagles' Week 17 game.

Kelce said in an Instagram post he was surprised when head coach Doug Pederson pulled quarterback Jalen Hurts for Nate Sudfeld against the Washington Football Team, but added that rumors of internal issues were exaggerated.

"At no point was anything from me or anyone else confrontational," Kelce wrote. "We all knew leading into the game that Sudfeld was told to be ready to play, and that Doug wanted to see what he could do in a game situation.

"I understand the optics of how it looked, and I'd be lying if I wasn't a little surprised given the circumstances that the move happened when it did, but every one of us did our best, and all of us believe we can win with Nate Sudfeld."

Reports surfaced Monday that two Eagles defenders were held back from approaching Pederson and Kelce and another offensive player asked the coach directly why he removed Hurts with 12 minutes remaining in the game.

The veteran lineman said he did approach Pederson but received an explanation and immediately went to help Sudfeld prepare.

"It was a difficult situation (for Sudfeld) to be put into, especially when you have a 10-year veteran center who doesn't snap the ball to you accurately on your second drive of the game," Kelce said.

Meanwhile, Eagles running back Miles Sanders said Tuesday that "nobody liked the decision" to pull Hurts.

Pederson said postgame he wanted to reward Sudfeld for four years of service with the franchise and denied sabotaging the game to improve his club's draft position.