A total of nine Baltimore Ravens, headlined by two-time NFL MVP Lamar Jackson and star running back Derrick Henry, have been selected for this year’s Pro Bowl Games. This impressive tally puts the Ravens at the forefront, followed by the Detroit Lions with seven representatives, while both the Minnesota Vikings and Philadelphia Eagles contribute six players to the NFC roster.
Surprisingly, this year marks the first time Patrick Mahomes has not been selected for the AFC roster since he took over as the starting quarterback for the Kansas City Chiefs in his second season. Despite being a three-time Super Bowl MVP and a six-time Pro Bowler, he joins only five of his teammates on the roster, although his fellow star Travis Kelce secured his place for the tenth time.
Notably, Washington’s Jayden Daniels becomes just the fourth rookie quarterback selected for an initial Pro Bowl roster since 1970. Other rookies making their debut include Raiders tight end Brock Bowers and Rams outside linebacker Jared Verse, among a group of 24 players being recognized for the first time.
The starting quarterback for the NFC is Detroit’s Jared Goff, while Minnesota’s Sam Darnold also earned a spot. Buffalo’s Josh Allen will lead the AFC, with Jackson and Cincinnati’s Joe Burrow serving as backups. In another remarkable achievement, Philadelphia’s Saquon Barkley, a player who rushed for over 2,000 yards, has been named the NFC’s starting running back.
San Francisco’s Kyle Juszczyk set a record by being selected for his ninth Pro Bowl, the most for a fullback in history. Indianapolis’ Quenton Nelson also stands out, being among just three offensive linemen chosen for the Pro Bowl in each of his first seven seasons. Similarly, Cincinnati’s Ja’Marr Chase and Dallas’ Micah Parsons have made their mark by being selected in each of their first four seasons, the latter being the first defensive player to do so since the legendary Aaron Donald.
The full roster includes several other notable Ravens: wide receiver Zay Flowers, safety Kyle Hamilton, cornerback Marlon Humphrey, center Tyler Linderbaum, defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike, fullback Patrick Ricard, and inside linebacker Roquan Smith. Meanwhile, the Lions boast players like safety Brian Branch and running back Jahmyr Gibbs, and the Vikings add wide receiver Justin Jefferson to their roster.
This year’s Pro Bowl Games, now in its third year, continues to move away from traditional full-contact matches towards engaging weeklong skills competitions and a flag football game, appealing to a broader audience while showcasing the athletes’ skills in a safer environment.
As the landscape of the Pro Bowl evolves, this format allows for greater participation and enjoyment among fans, promising to highlight the talents of NFL stars in a fresh and dynamic way. The strong showing from teams like the Ravens and Lions reflects a burgeoning competitive spirit as the league shifts its focus from merely recognizing player achievements to providing entertaining and skillful displays of athleticism.