Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce among 4 Chiefs named to NFLPA’s inaugural All-Pro Team
The NFL Players Association on Wednesday announced its first All-Pro Team, as voted by active players.
And it’s a strong list that includes four Chiefs players.
Quarterback Patrick Mahomes, tight end Travis Kelce, defensive tackle Chris Jones and punter Tommy Townsend were voted by their peers to the NFLPA’s inaugural All-Pro Team.
In addition to only active players having a vote, the process included some other unique aspects, including:
- Players were not allowed to vote for themselves or teammates.
- Players voted for their own position group and the position group they line up against on the field.
- Players who missed five or more games as of Week 15 of the regular season were not eligible for consideration.
Wednesday’s announcement marked one of the first of multiple all-pro teams, most coming from media outlets, including Pro Football Focus, over the next month or so.
The NFLPA’s list is notable because active players are the ones voting.
“Players compete against each other all season long, watching hours and hours of film week after week; and yet, we have never had an opportunity to truly use our expertise to select the best of us,” NFLPA president JC Tretter said in a statement. “We think it is important that players take the time to define ourselves, because so far, we have allowed everyone else to either pick or dilute our voices.”
As for the Chiefs players, all of whom were previously selected to the Pro Bowl, making the NFLPA’s 2022 All-Pro Team should not come as a surprise.
Mahomes, widely regarded as front-runner for the NFL’s MVP award, threw for 5,250 yards and 41 touchdowns, adding 358 yards rushing and four touchdowns. He guided the Chiefs to a 14-3 record and the AFC’s No. 1 overall seed.
Kelce led the Chiefs in receiving with 110 catches for 1,338 yards and 12 touchdowns. His catches and touchdowns were career bests.
Jones finished the regular season with 15.5 sacks and 29 quarterback hits, marks that tied his career highs from 2018. He also had a career-high 44 tackles (30 solo) this season.
Townsend punted 53 times this season for 2,672 yards, averaging 50.4 yards per attempt. He placed 22 punts inside an opponent’s 20-yard line.
The next big All-Pro Team announcement will come from The Associated Press during the week of Super Bowl LVII. The AP will also reveal the NFL’s MVP Award winner the night before the Super Bowl.
Click here to view the NFLPA’s complete All-Pro Team.
This story was originally published January 11, 2023 at 11:14 AM with the headline "Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce among 4 Chiefs named to NFLPA’s inaugural All-Pro Team."
