Travis Kelce’s 13th season with the Kansas City Chiefs ended in disappointing fashion. After finishing the 2025 NFL season with a 6-11 record, the Chiefs missed the playoffs for the first time since 2014.
The 36-year-old continued to play like one of the best tight ends in the league in 2025. Kelce was named to his 11th consecutive Pro Bowl after finishing the season as the Chiefs’ leader with 76 catches for 851 yards, while his five receiving touchdowns tied for the team high.
Advertisement
Kelce, a three-time Super Bowl champion, enters the offseason as a free agent with a big decision to make on potentially retiring or coming back for another NFL season.
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) arrives before the game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium.Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
(Kirby Lee-Imagn Images)
Kelce stated he would use the unexpected early start to the offseason to clear his head and consult with trusted people around him before making a choice about his future.
On his “New Heights” podcast with his brother, Jason Kelce, Travis said he is looking forward to “just being a human for a couple weeks, maybe a month or so” while he figures out the next steps of his career.
Advertisement
With no reported injuries or playoff football holding him back — the Chiefs made it to at least the AFC Championship Game all seven previous seasons that Patrick Mahomes was the starting quarterback — there was no reason to believe Kelce to miss the Pro Bowl Games on Tuesday, Feb. 3.
It came as a surprise on Friday when the Buffalo Bills announced tight end Dalton Kincaid as a Pro Bowler, replacing Kelce on the AFC team.
“Bills tight end Dalton Kincaid has been named to the 2026 Pro Bowl,” the Bills announced in a news release. “Kincaid will replace Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce. This marks Kincaid’s first Pro Bowl appearance.”
Advertisement
Despite playing the entire season on a torn PCL, Kincaid recorded 39 receptions for 571 yards and five touchdowns. His value was felt most in the Bills’ two playoff games, when he hauled in nine catches for 111 yards and two touchdowns.
As of Friday afternoon, no reason has been given by Kelce or the Chiefs for why he is not attending the Pro Bowl Games.
Related: Chiefs Player Earns Invite to Travis Kelce-Taylor Swift Wedding
Related: Tyreek Hill Had Five Words After Chiefs Coaching Change
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Jan 23, 2026, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.