Chiefs news: Three players make PFF's midseason All-Pro team

The stars of the Kansas City Chiefs are used to seeing their names in specific places year after year. As media publications or even the league itself releases list after list—whether variations of All-Star teams or lists of the best players overall—those same names are seen again and again. But as the 2023 season unfolds, some Chiefs are nowhere to be found on midseason lists while new ones are springing up.

Perhaps this is a sure sign of the changing of the guard, so to speak, in Kansas City—a move from one era defined as Patrick Mahomes' early years to one in which his prime years will take over with a new supporting cast.

Pro Football Focus recently released its midseason All-Pro list for the 2023 campaign and, surprisingly, only three Chiefs players were listed on the team. Even more surprisingly, Mahomes himself was nowhere to be found. The game's reigning Most Valuable Player and a favorite to win it again this season, Mahomes was instead supplanted by Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen by PFF metrics.

Some of the typical entries aren't included on this list—at least at midseason—for the Chiefs.

Not only was Mahomes not on the list but defensive tackle Chris Jones was also missing. While he sat out the first game of the season, he roared back starting in Week 2 to rack up a significant amount of pressures to make up for lost time. However, it was not enough to force Aaron Donald or Quinnen Williams to step aside.

For the Chiefs who were on the list, tight end Travis Kelce is the obvious entry and he remains firmly planted as the league's best at his position. Even as he battles more minor injuries than ever in his 11th NFL season, Kelce still leads everyone at his position in receptions and yards.

Beyond Kelce, the only other starter on the All-Pro team for Pro Football Focus was cornerback Trent McDuffie in a flex secondary role. McDuffie is a lockdown corner who has already forced four fumbles this season and PFF's metrics love his play.

Beyond those two, left guard Joe Thuney was also honored as the backup at his position—perhaps akin to being named second-team All-Pro. Thuney has been a cornerstone for the Chiefs offensive line as they continue to rotate tackle options since his arrival.