Four Chiefs Earn Pro Bowl Honors Amidst Franchise’s Rare Losing Season
For the Kansas City Chiefs, late January is usually reserved for AFC Championship preparation and travel logistics for the Super Bowl. The 2025 NFL season, however, has offered a starkly different reality. Following a 9-26 loss to the Tennessee Titans and the confirmation of their first losing season in over a decade.
Yet, despite the team’s struggles and the injury to quarterback Patrick Mahomes that derailed their campaign, individual excellence remained. The NFL announced on Tuesday that four Chiefs players have been selected to the 2026 Pro Bowl Games roster. Tight end Travis Kelce, defensive tackle Chris Jones, center Creed Humphrey and guard Trey Smith were recognized by their peers, coaches, and fans as the elite at their respective positions, serving as a reminder of the talent still present on the roster.
Travis Kelce Continues to Defy Age and Expectation
The headline of the group remains Travis Kelce. For the second consecutive season, the veteran tight end led all NFL players in fan voting. This marks his 11th Pro Bowl selection, a milestone that ties him with Jason Witten for the second most all-time among tight ends.
Kelce’s selection is perhaps the most impressive of his career given the context of the offense around him. Without the consistent presence of Mahomes and with the team struggling to find the end zone, Kelce still managed a bounce back statistical year. He has recorded 803 receiving yards, ranking third among all tight ends, and his 11.8 yards per catch represents his highest average since 2022.
In previous years, Kelce’s Pro Bowl selection was merely a resume line item; he rarely attended the games because he was preparing for the Super Bowl. This year offers a different, perhaps more sentimental narrative. With the Chiefs eliminated from postseason contention, Kelce is free to participate in the flag football festivities at the Moscone Center in San Francisco.
This availability adds weight to the swirling conversation regarding his future. Kelce has dodged questions about retirement in recent weeks, telling reporters he wants to keep the focus on the team. If this is indeed his final season, the Pro Bowl Games could serve as a farewell lap for one of the greatest to ever play the position, allowing fans one last chance to celebrate him on a national stage.
Trenches Remain the Foundation of the Roster
While the skill positions struggled to put points on the board, the respect for Kansas City’s interior offensive line has not wavered. Center Creed Humphrey earned his fourth selection and was named a starter, while guard Trey Smith earned his third Pro Bowl nod.
Their selection highlights a specific dichotomy in the Chiefs’ 2025 season. The protection and run blocking remained high caliber even as the production stalled. For Humphrey and Smith, making the roster during a losing season validates their standing in the league. It suggests that observers separate their individual dominance in the trenches from the overall dysfunction of the offense. They remain the foundational blocks that general manager Brett Veach will likely build around as the team looks to retool for 2026.
Chris Jones Cements Legacy on Defense
On the other side of the ball, Chris Jones continues to be the undeniable anchor of the Chiefs’ defense. Earning his seventh Pro Bowl selection and a starter designation, Jones remains one of the few constants in a turbulent year.
Jones’ ability to disrupt the pocket was vital in keeping games competitive early in the season before the losses began to pile up. Like Kelce, Jones is a holdover from the dynasty years, a player who knows what the standard in Kansas City used to be. His inclusion on the AFC roster is a testament to his sustained dominance. Even when the team result is a double digit loss to Tennessee, opposing coaches and players still view Jones as a game wrecker who requires double teams on every snap.
A Bittersweet Recognition for Kansas City
Ultimately, sending four players to the Pro Bowl is a significant achievement for most franchises. For the Kansas City Chiefs of this era, however, it serves as a bittersweet consolation prize. It confirms that the roster was not devoid of talent, which perhaps makes the 2025 results even more frustrating for the fanbase.
The AFC roster includes six players from rival teams like the Baltimore Ravens and Denver Broncos, highlighting the shift in the conference’s power dynamic. The Chiefs are no longer the team to beat. They are now a team sending individual stars to an exhibition game while others prepare for the playoffs.
As Kelce, Jones, Humphrey, and Smith head to San Francisco in February, they represent the pride of a franchise looking to find its way back. For Kelce specifically, it may be a final bow. For the others, it is a reminder that while the 2025 season was lost, the core required to win hasn’t entirely disappeared.
