It’s never been easier to become a Pro Bowl quarterback
Making the Pro Bowl as a quarterback has become as simple as landing a job — any starting job — in the NFC. Somehow this opportunity has still eluded Matthew Stafford for three of his four seasons with the Rams, but here are where the four (yes, four) NFC Pro Bowl quarterback were a year ago:
Jayden Daniels, Commanders
Daniels was playing at LSU. Daniels had a special rookie season, but would he have made the Pro Bowl if he was drafted by the Patriots? (Well, maybe. We’ll get to that.)
Two of Washington’s three Pro Bowlers declined the invite, including Daniels and Terry McLaurin.
On the brightside…we get to see Jayden Daniels, Terry McLaurin & Bobby Wagner in the Pro Bowl next week
— brandon (@JayDanielsMVP) January 28, 2025
Jared Goff, Lions
Goff has now made more Pro Bowls with the Lions (2) than Stafford has made with the Rams (1) or Lions (1). Goff makes the Pro Bowl as a representative for the best or second-best supporting cast in the NFL.
Sam Darnold, Vikings
A year ago, Darnold was a backup on the 49ers. Where will he be next year? By the end of the 2025 season, Darnold could be a backup again.
Baker Mayfield, Bucs (replacement for Daniels)
A year ago, Mayfield had a “breakout season” of sorts for the Bucs. (Of sorts because he was probably this good on the Browns.) Two years before that, Mayfield was on the Browns, Panthers, and Rams at various points.
All Baker had to do was get linked up with a team that needed a quarterback and didn’t have any competition besides Kyle Trask. From there, he had a good supporting cast and has had good play calling since he joined the Rams in 2022.
Would it be hard to imagine that if Darnold leaves the Vikings and Minnesota signs a veteran as J.J. McCarthy insurance, that that player wouldn’t be able to make the Pro Bowl if he’s put into action? It would not be hard to imagine.
Didn’t make the Pro Bowl:
- Stafford, Rams
- Jalen Hurts, Eagles
- Dak Prescott, Cowboys
- Caleb Williams, Bears
- Jordan Love, Packers
- Kirk Cousins, Falcons
- Bryce Young, Panthers
- Derek Carr, Saints
- Geno Smith, Seahawks
- Kyler Murray, Cardinals
- Brock Purdy, 49ers
- Daniel Jones, Giants
The NFC has a lot of names you recognize at quarterback, but not the types of quarterbacks who DEMAND that they are too good to be snubbed.
Meanwhile, in the AFC, they don’t get snubbed…They just don’t care.
- Josh Allen, Bills (declined)
- Lamar Jackson, Ravens (declined)
- Joe Burrow, Bengals
- Russell Wilson, Steelers (replacement)
- Drake Maye, Patriots (replacement)
Patrick Mahomes, whether he had a “Pro Bowl caliber” season or not, obviously couldn’t accept because he’s going to the Super Bowl. That did not leave many other options, but Wilson (left for dead last summer) and Maye (the aforementioned Patriots QB) were easy to sell on making the Pro Bowl as a reward instead of a punishment.
Since Aaron Rodgers, Tua Tagovailoa, Deshaun Watson, C.J. Stroud, Trevor Lawrence didn’t have great seasons, it was easier to go to Wilson and Maye. Justin Herbert didn’t have a “great” season per se, but is a name and only threw three interceptions on the season. He probably would have just declined.
This is where we are at with the state of the Pro Bowl. It’s never been a great event or sign of stardom, but it does highlight just how easy it is sometimes to find a player and rise to the top of the conference with him if you have the other pieces in place.
The Rams could part ways with Stafford this offseason, but they do have pieces in place like Sean McVay, Puka Nacua, and a decent offensive line. A quarterback could be plugged into it and immediately help L.A. win football games in a conference without Mahomes, Burrow, Lamar, and Allen.
Maybe he would be good enough to make the Pro Bowl. Better yet, maybe he would be good enough to decline.
