A first-time NFL Pro Bowler was ripped by fans on Tuesday as they questioned his inclusion in the event.
Following their respective teams’ losses in the playoffs, MVP candidates Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen opted out of the Pro Bowl, while Patrick Mahomes will also skip the game before his Chiefs represent the AFC in the Super Bowl.
That led to some replacements being needed, and it was announced this week that Patriots quarterback Drake Maye would be stepping in for Allen.
The rookie pᴀsser showed flashes in his debut season and finished with 15 touchdowns and 10 interceptions in 12 starts, while averaging 175.1 yards per contest.
But many fans did not see him as deserving of the honor.
‘if these numbers get u into the pro bowl please remove this event,’ one wrote.
Drake Maye was named to his first Pro Bowl on Tuesday – to the displeasure of some fans
Maye was named as a replacement for Josh Allen, while Lamar Jackson also pulled out
‘We Officially gotta stop mentioning pro bowls as accolades,’ another said.
‘Did all the other AFC Quarterbacks decline? Because this guy only won 3 games,’ a third asked.
And a fourth said, ‘Big Drake Maye fan but what are we doing here?’
Aside from Mahomes, Allen and Jackson, who was replaced with Russell Wilson, there were five AFC quarterbacks who finished with more pᴀssing yards than Maye.
One of them, league leader Joe Burrow, accepted his invite to the Pro Bowl, while Broncos rookie Bo Nix will not be at the event in Orlando.
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Mike Klis of 9News in Denver reported that Nix was invited to the event, but is missing it to undergo a ‘routine and minor, cleanup procedure.’
The NFC will be represented at the Pro Bowl by quarterbacks Jared Goff, Baker Mayfield and Sam Darnold.
The event was rebranded in 2023 to a new format which sees players take part in various skill challenges and flag football – rather than tackle.
Pro Bowl votes are determined by fans, coaches and players, with each group accounting for a third of that equation.
