Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce among seven Chiefs players selected for 2023 Pro Bowl
Seven players, including three offensive linemen, were named to the Pro Bowl Wednesday evening.
Quarterback Patrick Mahomes, tight end Travis Kelce, left tackle Orlando Brown Jr., center Creed Humphrey, left guard Joe Thuney, defensive tackle Chris Jones and punter Tommy Townsend were selected to represent the AFC, the NFL announced.
With seven players chosen, the Chiefs are among six NFL teams with at least five selections. The others are the Philadelphia Eagles (8), Dallas Cowboys (7), Baltimore Ravens (6), San Francisco 49ers (6) and Minnesota Vikings (5).
Mahomes, who earned a fifth straight nod to the NFL’s annual all-star event, enters Week 16 leading the league with 4,496 passing yards and 35 touchdowns against 11 interceptions. The Chiefs’ star quarterback is also a heavy favorite to win the NFL’s MVP award.
Kelce enters Saturday’s home game against Seattle with 91 catches for 1,144 yards and a career-high 12 touchdowns. Kelce recently established two notable career milestones: a seventh straight 1,000-yard campaign and 10,000 career receiving yards. Wednesday’s announcement marked Kelce’s eighth straight Pro Bowl selection.
As for the Chiefs’ offensive line, Brown makes his second straight Pro Bowl in a Chiefs uniform. Selected twice while with his former team, the Baltimore Ravens, Brown is playing the 2022 season under the franchise tag.
Thuney and Humphrey, who is widely regarded as a rising star at the center position, earned their first Pro Bowl nods through the voting process. Both were Pro Bowl alternates last season.
Jones earned his fourth straight Pro Bowl selection. He leads the Chiefs in sacks (11) and quarterback hits (18).
Townsend, also a Pro Bowl alternate last season, was voted to his first Pro Bowl as well. The reigning AFC Special Teams of the Player of the Week is averaging 51.8 yards per punt this season, second best in the NFL.
The 2023 Pro Bowl, which returns to Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on Feb. 5, will see a change in format this time around. Instead of scheduling a full game in pads, the league will stage a flag-football matchup between the NFC and AFC. The re-imagined Pro Bowl will continue to feature various skills competitions in the days leading to the flag-football game.
If the Chiefs have their way, none of their selected players will be competing in the Pro Bowl. Instead, they hope to advance to Super Bowl LVII, which is set for Feb. 12 in Arizona.
This story was originally published December 21, 2022 at 7:19 PM.
