The announcement of the rosters for the 2025 Pro Bowl Games comes at a fitting time on the NFL calendar: as a pitstop to something more substantive, namely Week 18 and the conclusion of the regular season.
The selections themselves still stand as somewhat of a distinction for an event still trying to establish its relevance with its audience amid its evolving format. And while arguing about Pro Bowl snubs can seem a bit outlandish given that many players will be added later as dropouts materialize, the debates over who deserves the recognition are yet another example of the league managing to spark interest and intrigue around developments that aren’t particularly consequential.
With that said, here are the most notable omissions from Thursday’s announcement, along with an examination of how strong each player’s case is:
Patrick Mahomes, QB, Kansas City Chiefs
Unlike the other players on this list, Mahomes doesn’t have much of a case for inclusion on the initial list, as the stacked group of AFC quarterbacks features three legitimate MVP candidates in the Buffalo Bills’ Josh Allen, Baltimore Ravens’ Lamar Jackson and Cincinnati Bengals’ Joe Burrow, all of whom are largely more statistically accomplished this season than the two-time NFL MVP. Still, only a field this loaded could relegate Mahomes to alternate status after he was selected to the Pro Bowl in his first six years as a starter.
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Mahomes has engineered a career-high five fourth-quarter comebacks and seven game-winning drives this season, routinely proving to be the difference for a team that has gone 11-0 in one-score games. But while he has also completed a personal-best 67.5% of his passes, he’s also averaging an all-time low of 6.8 yards per attempt while navigating the Chiefs’ myriad issues up front and in the receiving corps, though those problems have largely been smoothed out in recent weeks. Here’s betting that a guy who has every reason to want to avoid playing in this game as he aims for a historic three-peat is probably unbothered by the development.
A.J. Brown, WR, Philadelphia Eagles
Brown might have been done in by the three games he missed due to a hamstring injury. Yet he still finished with more receiving yards than Terry McLaurin (1,079 to 1,034) and was far more efficient, with his 3.67 yards per route run only outpaced by the Los Angeles Rams’ Puka Nacua among players with at least 200 routes run. Brown’s dominance is difficult to fully capture based on volume stats given how the Eagles’ run-heavy offense functions, but the overall effect he has is clearly on par with the pass catchers who were included.
Brian Thomas Jr., WR, Jacksonville Jaguars
Making the Pro Bowl as a rookie can be exceedingly difficult without the right blend of output, attention and positional opportunity. Thomas certainly had enough of the first category, as he ranks fifth in the NFL in receiving yards (1,179) despite having Trevor Lawrence for just 11 starts this season. But he might have been lacking in the latter two, as the Jaguars have continued to toil in obscurity amid a 4-12 campaign. Thomas also had six more touchdowns than Jerry Jeudy, who was named a starter despite more than one-fifth of his yardage production coming in one game.
Jonnu Smith, TE, Miami Dolphins
There was little room for discussion about the AFC’s tight ends, given the record-setting rookie campaign of Brock Bowers and Travis Kelce placing first in the fan vote. But Smith should be lauded for putting together a career season as an eighth-year veteran. He beat Kelce in receiving yards (828 to 823) and touchdowns (seven to three) despite having 18 fewer catches and 34 fewer targets. Mark Andrews also merited consideration.
Leonard Williams, Interior DL, Seattle Seahawks
It’s hard to compare interior defensive linemen to one another given how varying schemes and responsibilities can dictate their production – or lack thereof. Still, few of his peers can compare to Williams, who is tied for the most sacks (nine) among players on the inside and is tied for fourth at the position in pass rush win rate, according to ESPN. While it may end up a moot point with the New York Giants’ Dexter Lawrence still recovering from a dislocated elbow, Williams had a strong case to be chosen ahead of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ Vita Vea.
Trent McDuffie, CB, Kansas City Chiefs
McDuffie just can’t seem to crack the Pro Bowl formula, as he was overlooked last year as well despite later being named a first-team All-Pro. In 2024, he proved his previous effort was no aberration, as he gave up even fewer yards per reception (10.1 to 10.5) and lower passer rating when targeted (82.9 to 94.4), according to Pro Football Reference. McDuffie also notched the first two interceptions of his career. The cornerback field in the AFC is extremely deep, with the New England Patriots’ Christian Gonzalez and Buffalo Bills’ Christian Benford also not making the cut. Either of them or McDuffie could have gotten in ahead of the Cleveland Browns’ Denzel Ward or Ravens’ Marlon Humphrey without issue.
Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Philadelphia Eagles
It feels strange to keep stumping a team that can claim the third-most Pro Bowlers of any team. Mitchell likely isn’t even Philadelphia’s biggest snub, with Brown and left tackle Jordan Mailata standing out as more notable cases. But the first-round pick out of Toledo has put together a debut worthy of NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year consideration, as he has locked down the likes of Ja’Marr Chase, CeeDee Lamb and Mike Evans, among others, while taking on a leading role in the Eagles’ secondary. While the Carolina Panthers’ Jaycee Horn hasn’t received much help, he still got the nod ahead of Mitchell and others despite posting career worsts with six touchdowns allowed and a 92.7 passer rating when targeted, according to Pro Football Reference.
Kerby Joseph, FS, Detroit Lions
Maybe he was the victim of the Lions’ heavy presence, especially with teammate Brian Branch claiming one of the NFC’s other safety spots. Or maybe it was difficult for a player who has yet to become a household name to receive his due, even in a breakout campaign. Still, it’s hard to square how a player who leads the NFL with nine interceptions could be passed over, especially when he ranked first at his position in the fan vote. Joseph isn’t merely the beneficiary of some good turnover luck, either, as the ballhawk also has 12 passes defensed this season after hauling in four interceptions in each of his first two seasons. If Joseph played in the AFC, he would have had a strong shot to be the choice over Minkah Fitzpatrick.
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