Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce are set to be snubbed by the NFL Pro Bowl Game despite the Kansas City Chiefs‘ 11-1 record as the iconic quarterback and legendary tight end struggle for offensive output in the 2024/25 season.
The defending Super Bowl champions are one of the most voted teams to be picked but neither of their stars are likely to be nominated based on early polling, who rank the Baltimore Ravens’ Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry, the Philadelphia Eagles’ Saquon Barkley, the Buffalo Bills’ Josh Allen and the Detroit Lions’ Jahmyr Gibbs as the top five.
A total of 88 players will be named as Pro Bowlers but many will not actually head to the Games in February 2025, and it seems as though Mahomes and Kelce could fall into this bracket. For the latter, it would be his first miss since 2014.
The Games will see a series of skill-based contests that will ensure players avoid any injuries and wear and tear, unlike the previous format which saw a one-off match played between the best players from the AFC and NFC from 1970-2012 and 2016-2022.
Is Mahomes being overlooked?
Whilst the 35-year-old tight end can’t have too many complaints after a tough season, it does seem a bit harsh on the 29-year-old quarterback, who has consistently came in clutch for his side.
Mahomes has often made big plays to push the Chiefs through to a win after a total of nine of their 11 victories have come in one-score games, most recently against the Las Vegas Raiders on November 29.
He pairs up that pressure-handling ability with a 68.4% pass completion rate from 427 attempts for 2979 yards and 19 touchdowns, but has allowed 11 interceptions and has been sacked 32 times.
Combine that with the fact that he has also had to handle a wave of injuries to Rashee Rice, Hollywood Brown and Isiah Pacheco notably, as well as the absences of Mecole Hardman and Clyde Edwards-Helaire and it’s actually an impressive season, even if it doesn’t look spectacular.
Should Mahomes eventually be named as a Pro Bowler, it will be his seventh selection since his debut back in 2017.
