KANSAS CITY CHIEFS FACE SNUBS AS MAHOMES AND KELCE SHINE IN 2025-26 SEASON

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Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, tight end Travis Kelce, and the rest of the team have been unexpectedly snubbed in the NFL Honors voting for the 2025 NFL season.

Despite not making the postseason during the 2025-26 campaign, the Chiefs delivered standout performances, with stars like Kelce and Mahomes breaking multiple records and setting high benchmarks for the team’s future.

For Travis Kelce, the 36-year-old tight end concluded the season with 76 receptions, 851 receiving yards, and five touchdowns across 17 games, according to NFL research, solid numbers that highlight his continued elite performance despite his age.

Patrick Mahomes also had a notable season, demonstrating his trademark arm strength, field vision, and leadership on and off the field, ensuring the Chiefs remained competitive even without a postseason berth.

As the offseason began, the Chiefs had plenty to celebrate despite their absence from the playoffs, signaling a promising future ahead.

On Friday, January 23, Kansas City officially announced that Eric Bieniemy would return as the team’s offensive coordinator for the 2026-27 season, marking his second stint after previously holding the role from 2018 through 2022.

During his initial tenure, Bieniemy’s offenses led the NFL in average points-per-game at 30.1, total touchdowns at 296, and total yards-per-game at 406.2, according to Chiefs research, solidifying his reputation as one of the league’s top offensive minds.

The announcement of Bieniemy’s return was a signal that the Chiefs are positioning themselves for a rebound and continued success, capitalizing on the talent of Mahomes, Kelce, and their veteran core.

However, despite these accomplishments, the team experienced a surprising lack of recognition during the NFL Honors announcement.

On Thursday, January 22, the NFL and Associated Press revealed the finalists for their annual awards, which will be presented at the NFL Honors event on Thursday, February 5, at the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco.

To the surprise of many, no Chiefs players were included in the nominations, leaving the team feeling disrespected for their contributions and strong individual performances during the season.

The MVP race included top players like Josh Allen of the Buffalo Bills, Trevor Lawrence of the Jacksonville Jaguars, Drake Maye of the New England Patriots, Christian McCaffrey of the San Francisco 49ers, and Matthew Stafford of the Los Angeles Rams.

While the Chiefs endured a challenging season, the absence of Mahomes, Kelce, and other key players from the honors list was unexpected and highlighted the sometimes harsh realities of award recognition in professional sports.

Off the field, life for Travis Kelce and his brother Jason continues to be just as dynamic and fulfilling.

On Wednesday, January 14, during an episode of their “New Heights” podcast, the Kelce brothers announced the upcoming release of their first book together, titled “No Dumb Questions: And All of Our Dumbest Answers.”

The book is inspired by a popular segment on their podcast called “No Dumb Questions,” where they respond to fan-submitted queries, blending humor, personal anecdotes, and insight.

“When we started the ‘No Dumb Questions’ segment on New Heights, never in our wildest dreams did we think it would become a book sitting on your coffee table,” the brothers shared with People magazine.

They continued, “But we’ve had a blast with it, and we’re stoked the 92%ers can take home a little piece of the podcast, including some that were too ridiculous to make it on the show.”

The brothers also expressed amazement at achieving the milestone of becoming published authors, a new addition to their already impressive list of accomplishments.

For Travis Kelce, this means adding “author” to the tally of achievements at age 36, alongside his legendary NFL career and philanthropic endeavors.

With retirement looming as a possible consideration, the book project offers Kelce an opportunity to explore life beyond the gridiron while still engaging fans and sharing his personality.

Anne Erickson, an award-winning reporter for Heavy Sports, covers the NFL, NBA, and college football. Erickson’s work has appeared on ESPN, Fox Sports, and other prominent outlets, and she has interviewed some of the biggest names in sports, including Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff.

In addition to her written reporting, Erickson hosts several podcasts and serves as a radio host based in Detroit, bringing insightful commentary and analysis to fans nationwide.