Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce has spoken out about the team's much-maligned decision to pull quarterback Jalen Hurts in favor of backup Nate Sudfeld in the fourth quarter of the Eagles' Week 17 loss to the Washington Football Team on Sunday night.

In a lengthy Instagram post, Kelce — a leader in the Philadelphia locker room — addressed the criticisms being thrown at his team and head coach, Doug Pederson.

Kelce recalled his reaction to hearing Sudfeld was entering the game. He admitted to being surprised by the move at the time but said he was aware heading into the game that the long-time backup could see his first action of the season.

“At the end of the third quarter, I was told on the bench that Sudfeld was going in the game,” Kelce said. “I went up to Doug and asked him if he was taking Hurts out, he said ‘Yes, I think Nate’s earned the right to play,’ I said ‘Everyone else is staying in?,’ he said ‘Absolutely.’”

Kelce said he then went to find Sudfeld and worked out the cadence with the offensive line.

The veteran center also pushed back on reports of immediate backlash from Eagles players along the sideline.

“At no point was anything from me or anyone else confrontational. 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. All of us during the week leading up were excited for Nate, a guy that has been with us for four years to get an opportunity in a real game to show the world what he can do.”

Kelce admitted that despite the bad “optics”, he and his teammates were happy for Sudfeld and confident in his abilities.

“I know we can win games with Nate, because I know Suddy can play,” Kelce said. “It didn’t work out Sunday but as always, that’s not just on him.”

You can read his full statement here, via Kimberley Martin of ESPN.