(Photo by Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire)
The Pro Bowl selection process has once again sparked debate across the NFL community, particularly after the roster announcement for the 2025 games.
Though the event has evolved from its traditional AFC-NFC matchup to a series of skills challenges and flag football, making the Pro Bowl still carries significant weight for players, both for their career achievements and contract bonuses.
Among the notable omissions, Baker Mayfield’s exclusion has raised eyebrows.
The NFC quarterback slots went to Jared Goff, Sam Darnold and Jayden Daniels, but many believe Mayfield’s performance for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers warranted recognition.
Despite working with limited resources, Mayfield’s impact on the field has been undeniable, making his absence from the roster questionable.
One NFL analyst recently voiced his frustration over Mayfield’s exclusion.
“I’m just trying to figure out why on the NFC side at the quarterback position, Jared Goff makes sense. Sam Darnold makes sense. Jayden Daniels over Baker Mayfield doesn’t make sense,” Jonas Knox said, via FOX Sports Radio. “I know everybody loves Jayden Daniels and everybody wants to celebrate him because, hey, it’s the cool thing to do. Baker Mayfield had a better year, and it’s not even close.”
“I’m just trying to figure out the NFC side at the QB position: Jared Goff makes sense, Sam Darnold makes sense, but Jayden Daniels over Baker Mayfield doesn’t make sense…Baker had a better year.”
🎙️@TheJonasKnox to @Brady_Quinn & @LaVarArrington on the Pro Bowl NFC roster pic.twitter.com/KhCK1xB7t4
— FOX Sports Radio (@FoxSportsRadio) January 3, 2025
The selection became even more puzzling when LaVar Arrington suggested the Pro Bowl never has been about statistics.
This stance raises an interesting question: If stats aren’t the deciding factor, why was Patrick Mahomes left off the AFC roster while Joe Burrow made the cut, considering the Cincinnati Bengals won’t be seeing playoff action this season?
These selections have only added fuel to the ongoing debate about Pro Bowl voting and whether the current system truly recognizes the season’s top performers.
NEXT: Tua Tagovailoa Updates Status For Possible Playoff Game
