After an underwhelming 2025 campaign, the Kansas City Chiefs saw their usual roll call of stars shrink dramatically — a quiet but telling reflection of a year where expectations far outweighed results.
When the dust settled, only Creed Humphrey earned a place on the PFWA All-NFL team, standing alone as Kansas City’s sole representative among the league’s elite.
A rare fall from familiar heights
The contrast is striking.
In each of the previous seven seasons, the Chiefs had at least three players named to the Associated Press All-Pro first or second teams. This year, just one name appeared.
Humphrey’s selection was not a courtesy nod. It was earned the hard way.
The centre anchored an offensive line that often had to hold together under pressure, providing consistency and control during a season defined by instability. His recognition also placed him among a rare group — one of only seven players honoured again after making the 2024 All-NFL team.
In a year short on certainty, Humphrey was one of the few constants.
Kelce reminds the AFC who he still is
While the All-NFL list told a sparse story, the PFWA All-AFC team offered a reminder that greatness doesn’t disappear quietly.
Travis Kelce, now 36, was named to the All-AFC team after producing one of the most demanding seasons of his storied career.
Kelce led all AFC tight ends with 851 receiving yards, hauled in the third-most receptions in the conference, and did it while rarely leaving the field.
According to NFL Next Gen Stats, Kelce ran 567 routes — the second-most of any tight end in the entire league. In the AFC alone, only Tyler Warren came close, and even he ran 73 fewer routes.
Durability. Volume. Trust.
Those numbers told a deeper story.
Carrying more than his share
With Chiefs wide receivers struggling for consistency throughout the season, Kelce quietly took on more responsibility — staying available, extending drives, and acting as the safety blanket when chaos crept in.
It wasn’t flashy.
It wasn’t easy.
But it was unmistakably Kelce.
Many around the league viewed the season as a reminder: even in decline years, he remains one of football’s most reliable tight ends — and one of Patrick Mahomes’ most trusted allies.
A legacy moment — or one last push?
Now comes the question hanging over Arrowhead.
Was this Kelce’s final bow?
Or a reinvigoration strong enough to bring him back for one more season?
The honours don’t answer that.
But they do underline something important.
In a season where so much went wrong, Kansas City still produced moments — and men — worthy of respect.
Humphrey’s excellence.
Kelce’s resilience.
Two names. Two standards.
And a reminder of what the Chiefs must rebuild around if they want to return to where they believe they belong.
