Travis Kelce Tops Pro Bowl Fan Voting Again, Even as Chiefs’ Season Crumbles
Travis Kelce may be watching the postseason from home for the first time in years, but fans haven’t forgotten what he brings to the field. The Kansas City Chiefs’ veteran tight end led all players in fan voting for the 2026 Pro Bowl, the NFL announced Monday - marking the second consecutive year he's topped the leaderboard.
That’s no small feat, especially considering how this season has played out in Kansas City. The Chiefs, sitting at 6-9 heading into Week 17, have already been eliminated from playoff contention. It’s been a stunning fall for a franchise that’s been a fixture in January football for the better part of a decade.
But while the team has stumbled, Kelce has surged. At 36 years old and in his 13th NFL season, he’s quietly put together one of the most efficient campaigns of his career.
His 803 receiving yards rank third among tight ends league-wide, and his 11.8 yards per catch is his highest mark since 2022. That’s a significant bounce-back from last year, when he finished with 823 yards and just three touchdowns - his lowest totals since his rookie season in 2013.
If Kelce is selected to the AFC roster when it's officially announced Tuesday morning, it would be his 11th Pro Bowl nod - tying him with Jason Witten for the second-most selections ever by a tight end. That’s elite company, and a testament to Kelce’s sustained excellence, even as the Chiefs’ offense has struggled to find its footing.
And let’s be clear: this year has been anything but smooth in Kansas City. The offense unraveled after losing Patrick Mahomes to a torn ACL in a 16-13 loss to the Chargers on Dec.
- That blow was compounded just a week later when backup Gardner Minshew went down with the same injury in a 26-9 defeat to the Titans.
The Chiefs have now dropped six of their last seven games - a stretch that would’ve been unthinkable just a year ago.
Yet through it all, Kelce has remained a constant. He’s been a reliable target, a vocal leader, and a bright spot in an otherwise turbulent season. And while retirement rumors have followed him throughout the year - especially with his contract set to expire after the season - Kelce isn’t ready to have that conversation just yet.
“I think I’d rather just keep the focus of the media and everything on this team right now,” he told reporters last week. “All the conversations that I have with the team and everything moving forward will be with them.”
That’s vintage Kelce - focused on the locker room, not the headlines.
Elsewhere in the Pro Bowl fan vote, several rising stars made their mark. Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen, Patriots rookie Drake Maye, and Bears rookie Caleb Williams all landed in the top five, along with Chicago safety Kevin Byard. That’s a strong showing from the next generation of NFL talent - and a sign that fans are taking notice.
Speaking of the Bears, Chicago led all teams in total fan votes, followed by the Broncos, Packers, Chiefs, and Lions. It’s a reminder that even in a season full of surprises, passionate fan bases still show up for their guys.
The Pro Bowl will take place on Tuesday, Feb. 3, at the Moscone Center in San Francisco. For the first time, the NFL is holding the event during Super Bowl week - a move aimed at boosting both fan and player engagement.
And while Kelce won’t be suiting up for another Super Bowl this time around, don’t be surprised if he puts on a show in San Francisco. He’s earned the spotlight - again.