The first wave of fan voting for the 2026 Pro Bowl Games has arrived — and the results have stunned NFL watchers.
For the first time in years, Kansas City Chiefs superstar Travis Kelce is not sitting at the top.
Instead, two rising tight ends — Trey McBride of the Cardinals and rookie Tyler Warren of the Colts — have surged past him in early fan ballots, pushing Kelce into a surprising third place.
A Rare Setback for One of the NFL’s Biggest Names
Kelce is more than just a football legend.
He’s a three-time Super Bowl champion, the most decorated tight end of his era, and one of the most recognizable faces in sports — thanks to both his on-field dominance and his headline-grabbing relationship with Taylor Swift.
Last year, Kelce dominated the 2025 fan vote, finishing ahead of every tight end in the league. So seeing him outside the top two has left many fans wondering:
Is the NFL shifting toward a new generation of stars?
The Context Behind the Numbers
Fan voting for the Pro Bowl opened November 27 and runs through December 15. Early results can swing wildly — and Kelce’s popularity with coaches and players still makes him a strong overall favorite.
Fan votes count for one-third of the final Pro Bowl selections, with the remaining two-thirds split between NFL coaches and players. Historically, Kelce performs extremely well in those categories due to his veteran reputation and consistent production.
Still, the rise of McBride and Warren reflects a league increasingly captivated by fresh talent and breakout performances.
Kelce Isn’t Done Yet
The Chiefs face the Houston Texans on Sunday Night Football in Week 14, a high-visibility matchup that could shift fan perception quickly. A standout performance under the lights may be all Kelce needs to climb back to the top of the leaderboard.
For now, the headlines highlight a rare moment:
One of the NFL’s greatest modern players watching a pair of newcomers temporarily steal the spotlight.
But if history is any indication, Travis Kelce won’t stay in third place for long.
