SAN FRANCISCO — The Kansas City Chiefs are sending their heavy hitters to the Bay Area. Center Creed Humphrey and guard Trey Smith have officially touched down in San Francisco for the 2026 Pro Bowl Games. Despite a turbulent 6-11 season that saw the franchise miss the playoffs for the first time in over a decade, the interior of the Chiefs’ offensive line remains the envy of the league, with both anchors securing their spots among the AFC’s elite.
The Gold Standard in the Trenches
While the scoreboard didn’t always go Kansas City’s way this year, the tape tells a different story for the men up front. Humphrey, now 26, didn’t just hold the line; he dominated it. He finished the 2025-26 campaign as the only Chief to earn First-Team All-Pro honors, marking his second consecutive year at the peak of his position. Beside him, Trey Smith continued his path as a physical force, punishing defensive tackles and clearing lanes in a season where the Chiefs’ offense had to fight for every inch.
The duo’s presence in San Francisco is a reminder that the Chiefs’ core remains intact. With Patrick Mahomes sidelined late in the season due to a knee injury, the stability provided by Humphrey and Smith prevented a difficult season from becoming a total collapse. Their selection is a rare bright spot for a fanbase used to February Super Bowl parades, now adjusting to the more intimate, flag-football-centric atmosphere of the Moscone Center.
“It’s an honor to be back here, especially with Trey. We put in the work when nobody is watching, and even when the season doesn’t end the way you want, seeing that work recognized by the fans and our peers means everything.” — Creed Humphrey, Chiefs Center
New Venue, New Era for the Pro Bowl
The 2026 Pro Bowl Games mark a massive shift in NFL tradition. For the first time, the league has integrated the event into Super Bowl LX week, moving it to the heart of San Francisco. Instead of a traditional stadium, the AFC and NFC stars will clash in a specialized 4,000-seat arena inside the Moscone Center on Tuesday, Feb. 3. This shift to a more intimate “television-first” format serves as a strategic preview for flag football’s upcoming Olympic debut in Los Angeles 2028.
For the Chiefs, the focus now shifts to the draft and a massive salary cap puzzle. General manager Brett Veach faces a $62.6 million deficit heading into the new league year. However, with Humphrey and Smith entering the second year of their respective four-year extensions, the foundation is set. Expect the front office to restructure these deals—potentially freeing up $21 million in immediate space—to ensure that this trip to San Francisco is the last time the Chiefs visit a Super Bowl city without playing in the Big Game itself.
