Travis Kelce once again proved his popularity around the league, finishing atop the Pro Bowl voting at tight end, but fans won’t see him on the field when the event kicks off. The Chiefs’ veteran will sit out the 2026 Pro Bowl, creating an unexpected opening that will be filled by another star TE from the AFC East during one of the offseason’s marquee showcases.
Buffalo Bills’ TE Set to Replace Travis Kelce in 2026 NFL Pro Bowl Games
Kelce’s retirement is already making headlines since the Chiefs missed the playoffs in 2025. And the latest decision not to appear in the games has stoked the assumption that Kelce might have played his last game this season. However, the NFL found out his replacement for the games.
The Buffalo Bills announced on Jan. 23 that tight end Dalton Kincaid will replace Kelce for the Pro Bowl Games. But there is one problem. Kincaid’s status for the February event is in the shadows, too.
Dalton Kincaid has been named to the Pro Bowl squad, replacing Travis Kelce.@_DaltonKincaid | https://t.co/uFhAbO4hXh pic.twitter.com/gzg5oDQwpv
— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) January 23, 2026
The Bills hit the league with a chronic injury that their tight end is facing. Reports surfaced this week that Dalton Kincaid has been playing with a torn PCL in his left knee since 2024, according to injury analyst Kyle Trimble, who also outlined the probable surgery and recovery timeline.
And as a result of that, even though Kincaid is next in line to join the Pro Bowl tight end group, his participation is far from guaranteed.
Despite the injury, Kincaid played 12 games for the Buffalo Bills in 2025. He finished the regular season with 39 receptions for 571 receiving yards and 5 touchdown catches. Also, the Bills’ TE averaged about 14.6 yards per catch and roughly 47.6 receiving yards per game.
But if Kincaid does take part, he would join three other Bills players who were chosen for the Pro Bowl, which are left tackle Dion Dawkins, running back James Cook, and quarterback Josh Allen. Allen is not expected to attend because he has declined to participate in the event each of his previous three Pro Bowl selections. This will be Kincaid’s first Pro Bowl appearance.
Kincaid has dealt with injuries throughout his three seasons in the NFL, which is very different from his durability in college. Last offseason, general manager Brandon Beane said Kincaid still needs to improve his play strength.
He had said, the star TE needed “to continue to work on his play strength. He’s not as built and muscular as, let’s just say, Dawson is,” which is vital for holding up over the course of a full NFL season.
Overall, it was confirmed that the Chiefs’ Kelce will not be in the Pro Bowl Games. But his replacement, Dalton Kincaid, is also expected to get the surgery, per Banged Up Bills.
