The teams were announced Friday
The NFL announced its All-Pro teams on Friday, and the unveiling brought good news for one of the superstar Kelce brothers — but no so much for the other.
Jason Kelce, the beating heart of the Philadelphia Eagles‘ offensive line, was named a first-team All-Pro once again after another exemplary regular season. But Travis Kelce had a “down season” by his lofty standards, and the Kansas City Chiefs tight end was left off the first- and second-team All-Pro squads.
Jason Kelce makes history
As if his reputation needed another boost, Jason Kelce’s latest All-Pro selection solidifies the 36-year-old as one of the top offensive linemen of his generation and a surefire Hall of Fame inductee when his playing days are over.
2023 First Team All-Pro Offense! pic.twitter.com/6snBTcSmUa
— NFL (@NFL) January 12, 2024
The older Kelce brother has been named a first-team All-Pro for the sixth time — a distinction only four other centers in NFL history have received. Kelce was also named to the Pro Bowl this year, the seventh time he has been selected to that team — meaning he is one of only 50 players in league history to make seven Pro Bowl teams and receive six first-team All-Pro designations.
Kelce was flagged for only six penalties in 17 games — all false starts. The 2023 campaign was the first in Kelce’s career without a holding penalty, showing that he is getting better with age. In fact, each of his All-Pro selections were made following his 30th birthday in 2017.
Was Travis Kelce snubbed?
Jason‘s younger brother Travis has also been a fixture on the first-team All-Pro roster in recent years, but he was not included in the first team for 2023 — and the tight end’s performances did not merit inclusion on the second team, either.
For the first time since 2015, Travis Kelce failed to record 1,000 receiving yards in the regular season. In contrast, George Kittle — this year’s first-team All-Pro selection at tight end — had 1,020 receiving yards, his first season reaching the milestone since 2019. Kittle also caught six touchdown passes in the explosive San Francisco 49ers offense — one more than Kelce caught from Patrick Mahomes.
On the second team, Detroit Lions rookie Sam LaPorta had one of the most productive debut seasons for a tight end in NFL history, catching 86 passes for 889 yards and 10 touchdowns — five more than 34-year-old Kelce.
Just announced: The 2023 AP First and Second All-Pro Team: pic.twitter.com/Lwsxo3CoOf
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) January 12, 2024
