Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes was one vote shy of unanimous, and teammate Travis Kelce and Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson received all 50 votes for the 2022 NFL All-Pro team released Friday.
A panel of 50 media members votes in balloting controlled by the Associated Press. Mahomes received 49 of 50 votes at quarterback, falling one vote shy of unanimous along with San Francisco 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa and Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones.
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts received on vote to prevent Mahomes from the sweep.
Mahomes, All-Pro and MVP in 2018, led the NFL with 5,250 yards and guided the Chiefs to the No. 1 seed in the AFC. The same panel and AP accounting is used for MVP voting, a sign that Mahomes is a virtual lock for that award handed out during Super Bowl weekend. In the past 15 years, 14 times the All-Pro quarterback was also named league MVP.
Jefferson had 128 catches and the sixth season with at least 1,800 yards in NFL history, finishing with 1,809 yards for his first selection to the All-Pro team.
Kelce was joined by his brother, Eagles center Jason Kelce, on the 2022 first team. Travis Kelce caught 12 of Mahomes’ 41 TD passes this season and tallied 110 receptions.
Bosa recorded 18.5 sacks and Dallas Cowboys edge rusher Micah Parsons, who had 13.5 sacks, returned to the All-Pro team after making it as a rookie linebacker. The 49ers had three first-team picks on defense: Bosa, safety Talanoa Hufanga and linebacker Fred Warner.
Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner was the first rookie voted All-Pro at the position since 1981. Defensive tackle Quinnen Williams joined him as representatives of New York’s fourth-ranked defense.
Gardner, the NFL leader in pass breakups, reacted to the announcement via Twitter.
“First Rookie CB to get 1st Team All-Pro for the first time in 41 years… Thank you God. None of this would be possible without you and the great group of guys on our defense;especially the D-LINE…This for Detroit … Product of Detroit King Highschool.”
Mahomes’ former top target, wide receiver Tyreek Hill survived the offseason trade and quarterback changes with the Dolphins to make the team for the fourth time in his first season with Miami.
The Chiefs were joined on the All-Pro offense by AFC West division standouts from the Las Vegas Raiders: Josh Jacobs at running back and Davante Adams at wide receiver.
OFFENSE
Quarterback: Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs
Running Back: Josh Jacobs, Las Vegas Raiders
Tight End: Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs
Wide Receivers: Justin Jefferson, Minnesota; Tyreek Hill, Miami; Davante Adams, Las Vegas Raiders
Left Tackle: Trent Williams, San Francisco 49ers
Right Tackle: Lane Johnson, Philadelphia Eagles
Left Guard: Joel Bitonio, Cleveland Browns
Right Guard: Zack Martin, Dallas Cowboys
Center: Jason Kelce, Philadelphia Eagles
DEFENSE
Edge: Nick Bosa, San Francisco 49ers; Micah Parsons, Dallas Cowboys
Interior Linemen: Chris Jones, Kansas City Chiefs; Quinnen Williams, New York Jets
Linebackers: Fred Warner, San Francisco 49ers; Roquan Smith, Baltimore Ravens; Matt Milano, Buffalo Bills
Cornerbacks: Sauce Gardner, New York Jets; Patrick Surtain II, Denver Broncos
Safeties: Minkah Fitzpatrick, Pittsburgh Steelers; Talanoa Hufanga, San Francisco 49ers
SPECIAL TEAMS
Placekicker: Daniel Carlson, Las Vegas Raiders
Punter: Tommy Townsend, Kansas City Chiefs
Kick Returner: Keisean Nixon, Green Bay Packers
Punt Returner: Marcus Jones, New England Patriots
Special Teamer: Jeremy Reaves, Washington Commanders
Long Snapper: Andrew DePaola, Minnesota Vikings
–Field Level Media