The 2026 NFL Pro Bowl rosters were unveiled on Tuesday, December 23, sparking immediate debate over several high-profile snubs, most notably Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love, who was excluded despite posting elite efficiency metrics that rank among the league’s best. This oversight highlights the perennial tension between popularity contests and performance-based evaluations in all-star selections.
Pro Bowl selections are determined by a combination of fan, player, and coach votes, often leading to omissions that reflect the subjective nature of the process. This year, Love’s snub is particularly glaring: his 72.8 QBR places him third among quarterbacks, and advanced metrics from Next Gen Stats show a 0.2 EPA per dropback, tying him with MVP candidates. Despite this, he was passed over for quarterbacks with higher win totals but more turnovers, such as Seattle Seahawks’ Sam Darnold, who has 18 giveaways this season.
In the NFC, other significant snubs include New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave, who ranks in the top 10 in targets, receptions, yards, and touchdowns despite a midseason quarterback change. Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Kobie Turner also missed out, leading NFC interior defenders in pass rush wins, while Philadelphia Eagles tackle Lane Johnson, widely regarded as the best at his position, was overlooked after playing 10 games. These omissions underscore how team context and positional biases can influence voting.
On the AFC side, Miami Dolphins linebacker Jordyn Brooks has been arguably the best linebacker this season, leading the NFL with 169 tackles and excelling in run defense with a minus-45.0 run stop EPA. Jacksonville Jaguars edge rusher Josh Hines-Allen and linebacker Devin Lloyd were also snubbed, despite key roles in propelling the Jaguars to AFC South contention with only one Pro Bowler selected. Their absence points to a lack of recognition for emerging players on rising teams.
The snubs extend to specialists and role players, such as Minnesota Vikings kicker Will Reichard, who has a 93.1% field goal success rate, and Miami Dolphins fullback Alec Ingold, whose blocking has fueled De’Von Achane’s career year. These cases illustrate how non-glamorous positions are often undervalued in Pro Bowl voting, even when their contributions are critical to team success.
Analysts from both NFL.com and ESPN note that snubs are inevitable due to roster limits and the popularity-driven voting system, but they argue that players like Love and Brooks have compelling cases based on performance metrics rather than team success or name recognition. This raises questions about whether the selection criteria should evolve to better reflect on-field impact, especially with advanced analytics now widely available.
Many snubbed players are likely to receive Pro Bowl invitations as replacements, especially if those initially selected advance to the Super Bowl or withdraw due to injury. This has been a common trend, offering a second chance for overlooked stars to gain recognition and potentially altering the final rosters before the February event.
Ultimately, the Pro Bowl snubs highlight the ongoing debate between traditional stats and advanced analytics in evaluating player performance. As the NFL season heads into its final weeks, the discussion around these omissions will continue to resonate, emphasizing the need for a more nuanced approach to all-star selections that balances popularity with substantive achievement.
