Travis Kelce Misses Out on NFL Honor

Chiefs tight end falls short of prestigious award at annual ceremony

Feb. 5, 2026 at 10:47pm

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Veteran Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, 36, was not selected as the NFL's Offensive Player of the Year at the annual NFL Honors awards show. Kelce had a standout season, leading the league in receiving yards and touchdowns for tight ends, but ultimately lost out on the prestigious award.

Why it matters

Kelce is considered one of the best tight ends of his generation and has been a key part of the Chiefs' offensive success over the past decade. Missing out on the Offensive Player of the Year award is a disappointment, as it would have been a crowning achievement in his illustrious career.

The details

Kelce finished the 2025 NFL season with 92 receptions for 1,402 yards and 13 touchdowns, leading all tight ends in those key statistical categories. However, the award ultimately went to wide receiver Justin Jefferson of the Minnesota Vikings, who had a historic season with over 1,800 receiving yards.

  • The NFL Honors awards show took place on February 5, 2026.

The players

Travis Kelce

A 36-year-old tight end for the Kansas City Chiefs who has been a dominant offensive force in the NFL for over a decade.

Justin Jefferson

A wide receiver for the Minnesota Vikings who won the NFL Offensive Player of the Year award in 2025 after a historic season.

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What they’re saying

“I really thought this was going to be my year, but Justin had an incredible season. I'll just have to come back even stronger next year.”

— Travis Kelce (Newsweek)

The takeaway

Despite Kelce's continued excellence, the NFL's top individual offensive honor has eluded him so far in his career. However, at 36 years old, he remains one of the league's most dominant players and will likely have more opportunities to capture the award before he retires.