The 2021 Pro Bowl rosters were unveiled on Monday.
By no surprise, wide receiver Keenan Allen and edge defender Joey Bosa were among the crop. But there was one player who many that was deserving that was nowhere to be found.
Quarterback Justin Herbert, who’s on his way to putting together the best campaign by a rookie signal-caller, didn’t make the cut, which caught many by surprise.
The omission of Herbert was so head-scratching that he made Touchdown Wire’s Doug Farrar’s list of the “most egregious Pro Bowl snubs.”
Here is what Farrar had to say:
While it’s hard to argue with any of the quarterbacks who did make it — Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, and Deshaun Watson in the AFC, and Aaron Rodgers, Russell Wilson, and Kyler Murray in the NFC, it’s hard to leave Herbert off the list. The Chargers’ rookie franchise quarterback is having an amazing inaugural campaign, and he’s been especially effective against man coverage and under pressure. If Herbert keeps playing as he has, he’ll make more than his share of Pro Bowl rosters in the future
Like Farrar mentioned, it’s hard to exclude quarterbacks like Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen and Deshaun Watson. But Herbert is every bit of deserving to be recognized with the group.
Herbert has completed 66.5% of his throws for 3,781 yards and 27 touchdowns against just 10 interceptions and for a 96.3 passer rating in only 13 starts.
Despite the underwhelming season by Los Angeles, Herbert’s presence has given reason for optimism. He’s the reason why he’s kept L.A. in every single game. With a competent play-caller, the sky is the limit.
Even if Herbert wasn’t named to the Pro Bowl this year, we can expect to see him recognized among the cream of the crop for years down the road.