2025 NFL Pro Bowl - Who got snubbed?
The 2025 Pro Bowl rosters were announced on Tuesday, December 23rd. Who was snubbed?
I hesitate to write this article, because I will undoubtedly snub people from this snubs list, which is even more disrespectful. I will be going through each conference's Pro Bowlers by position and giving my opinions about who should, and who should not, have made it. This will mostly be a compilation of my thoughts about the Pro Bowl rosters, as I will post my own ballot later on. Here are the Pro Bowl rosters, now let's get into it!
AFC
Quarterback:
I think they got it right with Allen, Herbert, and Maye. Maybe it was because he got hurt, but I think Mahomes had an argument to make it. And I would put him over Herbert if I had to, but again, I have no complaints.
Running Back:
This is perfect to me. Cook, Taylor, and Achane are top 3 in the NFL in rushing, and all do it so effectively. Achane adds a lot to the passing game as well. Shoutout to Derrick Henry for putting up a solid rushing year, but these are the best three in the AFC.
Wide Receiver:
Chase, Collins, Flowers, and Sutton aren't bad picks at all. They're the top 4 receiving leaders in the AFC. And in this moment I am realizing how weak the talent of AFC WRs is, because based off this season, I can't really complain. I probably(definitely) would not have put Zay Flowers in. Alec Pierce, Stefon Diggs, and Tee Higgins were all more deserving to me.
Tight End:
Bowers and Kelce are intriguing Pro Bowlers. Kelce has clearly decline, but sitll has been productive this season. Bowers is good, but missed a few games with an injury. I like the Bowers pick, because when healthy, he has clearly been a great player. And while I think Kelce has been better than he was in 2024, Tyler Warren has been a better player. You could argue Harold Fannin for his spot too.
Offensive Tackle:
I love the Bolles selection, long overdue first time Pro Bowler. But Joe Alt played 6 games, he should not be a Pro Bowler. Dawkins has been great for a while, but this is far from his best season. This is another position where I am realizing most of the talent resides in the NFC. I would have preferred rookie Armand Membou making the Pro Bowl. Raimann Bernhard or Mike McGlinchey would have been suitable as well.
Offensive Guard:
All three of Nelson, Meinarz, and Smith are excellent players, and played that way in 2025. I have no quarrels with this list, but if I had to make a change I would knock Smith off for missing time, and put Mike Onwenu here, for holding down the fort in New England.
Center:
Linderbaum and Humphrey have been staples for years and are the two Pro Bowlers. Again, no complaints. Linderbaum may not be having his best year, especially in pass protection, but that may be due to the guards surrounding him. If I were to take him out, Aaron Brewer or Zach Frazier would be a great selection.
Before I begin the defense portion, I'd like to submit a complaint. Why in the world are the EDGE/LB positions picked the way that they are? My complaint is mostly with the "outside linebacker" position that is there. On the ballot it entails EDGE rushers such as TJ Watt, but also off ball LBs like TJ Edwards. In no world do those two players play the same position. And every year, the "outside linebacker" spot just goes to a couple extra EDGE rushers, because it's sorted by sacks, and off ball LBs don't get sacks! Just make an EDGE and LB category, that's all you need. It's ridiculous, but we move.
Defensive End:
Anderson, Garrett, and Crosby are flawless selections. Unfortunately, the EDGE talent in the NFL is stacked, so deserving names such as Danielle Hunter, Josh Hines-Allen, and even Greg Rousseau won't see the Pro Bowl.
Defensive Tackle:
Jones, Simmons, and Allen are a fantastic top three. All in the All-Pro conversation as well. If Deforest Buckner didn't miss 5 weeks with a neck issue, I think he would've made the list. And even in his old age, Cam Heyward is still playing at a high level. Shoutout to Zach Allen's teammate John Franklin-Myers for being fantastic, and the New England duo of Christian Barmore and Milton Williams, they just didn't have the numbers for the recognition.
Outside Linebacker:
Bonnitto, Watt, and Tuipuluto are all worthy names, although I may have excluded Watt. But what is the difference between them and the DEs?! It's just the scheme. Watt is still a fine choice, as would his teammate Alex Highsmith have been.
Inside Linebacker:
Smith and Al-Shaair are the selections. I love the Azeez Al-Shaiir pick. The Houston defense is the best for a reason, and he's been a massive part of that with his range. There are a few guys I'd prefer over Roquan Smith. Rookie Carson Schwesinger or Jaguars Devin Lloyd preferably. I think Jordyn Brooks gets overrated by the public, but he's probably been better than Roquan Smith this season.
Cornerback:
An incredible group of CBs, with Ward, Gonzalez, Surtain II, and Stingley Jr. This is a flawless group to me. I haven't talked about the Pro Bowl "reserves" yet, but I will mention it here because D.J. Turner and Kamari Lassiter have also had great years, but I just wouldn't place them over any of the four selected.
ANOTHER COMPLAINT! For some reason, the safety position only gets three players, and they separate it into positions? I will never understand it. Also, do "strong" and "free" safety even exist today? I don't get why it's done this way. I am just going to write "safety."
Safety:
Ramsey, James Jr, and Hamilton have all played well this year. Jalen Ramsey's transition to safety, or wherever he's placed on Pittsburgh's defense has been cool to watch happen, but I would have preferred to see Calen Bullock(now this is a "free safety") on the roster. Even his teammate Jalen Pitre(who may be listed as a nickel back?) or one of the Colts safety duo in Nick Cross or Cam Bynum.
Long Snapper:
Shoutout to Ross Matiscik and the Jaguars. He's a 3 time Pro Bowler now. I'm not going to pretend to know every single long snapper.
Punter:
Young Jordan Stout of the Ravens grabs his first Pro Bowl, and I'd say it's well deserved. Stout has a fantastic leg, 1st in the NFL for net yards per punt. Great choice.
Kicker:
Cameron Dicker was the perfection selection, and long overdue with his first Pro Bowl. I will say, Nick Folk has only missed one kick all season(55 yards). However, Dicker has kicked 10 more FGs and his misses come from 49 and 55, respectively.
Return Specialist:
There was no other correct answer other than Chimere Dike for this one. Leads the NFL in punt return average and has taken two back for TDs. Shoutout to Marcus Jones, another one of the best returners in the NFL and a really good CB, he deserves to be a Pro Bowler in some capacity.
NFC
Quarterback:
I don't have a problem with Stafford, Prescott, or Darnold. There's certainly a debate for Jared Goff or Jordan Love to have made the roster over Darnold, esepecially with how Darnold has played since the middle of November.
Running Back:
I believe the running back spots are once again 100% correct with Robinson, Gibbs, and McCaffrey. Kyren Williams has definitely had a Pro Bowl caliber season, and even Javonte Williams is third in NFC rushing yards. But the 3 Pro Bowlers carry their offenses like no others. They got it right.
Wide Receiver:
Nacua, Smith-Njigba, Pickens, and St. Brown are the selections here. You can't really complain with the top four receiving leaders in the NFC, but I would take St. Brown out. He's had drop problems this season, and I don't even think he's the best WR on his team. Yes, I would have Jameson Williams, or even rookie Tetairoa McMillan over St. Brown.
Tight End:
Arguably the two best TEs in the NFL, McBride and Kittle make it. McBride is the biggest lock of all time, and I am fine with the Kittle selection. If you didn't like Kittle, I guess Kyle Pitts or even Dallas Goedert could be in over him. Kittle is clearly the better player, but he did miss 5 games this season.
Offensive Tackle:
Sewell, Wirfs, and Williams are as good as it gets for the Pro Bowl. I think this is the perfect selection, but I understand the frustration of Andrew Thomas and Darnell Wright not being voted in. However, Sewell, Wirfs, and Williams is perfect for me.
Offensive Guard:
Smith, Thuney, and Lindstrom are three excellent selections. Tyler Smith didn't have his best year, but was still great overall. The two additions you could convince me to replace Smith and Lindstrom would be Kevin Dotson and Damien Lewis, although it's hard to argue against those on the roster.
Center:
Dalman and Jurgens are the picks for center. Let me start by saying NFC centers aren't the strongest position group. But there is no world where Cam Jurgens' 2025 performance warrants a Pro Bowl selection. NFC centers who have played well include Cade Mays and Ryan Neuzil.
Defensive End:
Hutchinson, Parsons, and Lawrence. Demarcus Lawrence has had. solid year in Seattle, but I'm a little surprised to see him in the Pro Bowl. I would replace him with Montez Sweat or Josh Sweat (who may be considered an "outside linebacker" *face palm*).
Defensive Tackle:
Carter, Q. Williams, and L. Williams are the NFC DTs. I have a massive problem with Jalen Carter being here. Not even close to being at a PB level this season. I'd rather have his teammate, Jordan Davis, on this roster. But before Davis, how is Derrick Brown on this roster? I'd place him over both Williams here, let alone Carter. My choices would likely be Brown, Kobie Turner, and Leonard Williams. Then I'd place Quinnen Williams, Jordan Davis, and Byron Murphy as the "reserves" because they have all played at this level as well.
Outside Linebacker:
Again, these are just EDGE rushers, with Young, Verse, and Burns making the list. There is no shot Jared Verse should be a Pro Bowler, sorry. Again, I don't know if Josh Sweat is considered an OLB or a DE, but he should be a Pro Bowler. I would also take James Pearce Jr or Chase Young(outside LB?) over Verse.
Inside Linebacker:
Baun and Campbell are on the roster. I believe Baun is riding the rep of being elite last year, as he has not been quite at the same level in 2025. I would prefer to see Ernest Jones IV over Baun as the second LB, but I don't have a major complaint here.
Cornerback:
Horn, Witherspoon, DeJean, Mitchell are the four CBs. All good players, but I would remove DeJean, who has incredible PR. I'll take Nashon Wright over DeJean here, but this is a good group of CBs, I just think Wright's season deserves PB recognition.
Safety:
Byard, Winfield, and Baker cover the safety position. Byard may be an All-Pro, but I take issue with the latter two. Winfield has been underwhelming, while Baker has just been alright on a bad defense. Trevon Moerhig and Jessie Bates have been better this year, or even the Packers safety duo in Xavier McKinney and Evan Williams.
Long Snapper:
Good for Jon Weeks grabbing his second Pro Bowl in his 16th season. He's clearly respected around the NFL.
Punter:
Veteran Tress Way is one of the best at putting the ball inside the 20 and not into the endzone, and also has one of the highest net punt yards
Kicker:
Brandon Aubrey gets another PB nod. I don't really have an issue here, we all know how good Brandon Aubrey is. However...Eddy Pineiro has missed just 1 FG all year, and it was a 64 yarder off the crossbar. Aubrey has missed 4 kicks, granted all from 50+ yards. Definitely a deserving selection, I just wanted to mention Pineiro's Pro Bowl caliber season.
Return Specialist:
Rashid Shaheed is a deserving Pro Bowler, with two return TDs. He's top 5 in punt return average, and would be top 5 in kick return if he was qualified. No problems here.
Here's somewhat more of an actual snubs list(more "major" snubs):
Stefon Diggs(or Alec Pierce) in for Zay Flowers
Tyler Warren in for Travis Kelce
Armand Membou in for Joe Alt
Devin Lloyd in for Roquan Smith
Calen Bullock (or Jalen Pitre) in for Jalen Ramsey
Ryan Neuzil in for Cam Jurgens
Montez Sweat in for Demarcus Lawrence
Derrick Brown in for Jalen Carter
Ernest Jones IV in for Zack Baun
Nashon Wright in for Cooper DeJean
Thanks for reading through the article! Not exactly a total snubs list, but I just wanted to give my thoughts on the entire roster and Pro Bowl selection process. I think the AFC did a better job than the NFC roster overall.
Stay tuned for more NFL and 49ers related articles, news, and opinions!
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