Travis Kelce Considers Retirement and Withdraws from 2026 Pro Bowl

Travis Kelce.
Credit:

Ian Maule/Getty

NEED TO KNOW

• Travis Kelce will not participate in his 11th Pro Bowl.
• The Kansas City Chiefs star has withdrawn, with Buffalo Bills tight end Dalton Kincaid set to replace him.
• Kincaid has faced injury issues throughout the last season, as confirmed by his teammate.

Travis Kelce has officially withdrawn from the Pro Bowl, which will take place as a flag football game in San Francisco on February 3, coinciding with Super Bowl week.

The announcement from the Buffalo Bills, made on January 23, confirmed that Dalton Kincaid will step in for Kelce. Despite his injuries this season, Kincaid’s selection was welcomed as he is designated as an “injury replacement,” according to Bills beat reporter Jay Skurski from the Buffalo News.

At 36 years old, Kelce boasts an impressive record, having earned Pro Bowl honors 11 times during his 13-year NFL tenure.

Travis Kelce.

Ian Maule/Getty

Neither Kelce nor the Chiefs have disclosed any injury concerns leading up to his withdrawal from the Pro Bowl.

In contrast, Kincaid has been managing a significant knee injury this past season. Bills tight end Dawson Knox spoke about this issue on the podcast, Monday Mornings with Mitch. “Dalton has a torn PCL he was playing through. It was easier to make a list of the things that didn’t hurt on a lot of these guys,” Knox remarked.

Kelce’s absence from the Pro Bowl has reignited speculation regarding his future in the league. Last week, during an appearance on the show Are You Smarter Than a Celebrity?, he shared insights about next season, hinting at excitement about reconnecting with a former Chiefs staffer.

His remarks coincided with a discussion with his brother, Jason Kelce, about the Chiefs’ recent decision to reintroduce former offensive coordinator Eric Bienemy to the team after a three-year hiatus. “I can’t wait to see him back in the building, man. He’s one of my favorite coaches of all time, one of my favorite people of all time,” Travis expressed.