Category: Pro Bowl

2 Cardinals make Pro Bowl, 3 named alternates

Check out the two Cardinals players who were selected to the Pro Bowl and the three who are alternates.

The two Arizona Cardinals players who were among the top at their position in fan voting for the Pro Bowl are now officially Pro Bowlers. Safety Budda Baker and tight end Trey McBride were named to the NFC squad for this year’s Pro Bowl games.

For Baker, it is his sixth straight Pro Bowl honor and seventh for his career. The last six have been at his position. His first time was as a rookie in 2017 for special teams. McBride is a Pro Bowler for the first time.

Baker has 155 total tackles, including 92 solo tackles. He is second in the league in both. He has a career-high nine tackles for loss. He also has two sacks and five pass breakups.

Some facts about Baker’s selection:

  • Baker and Patrick Peterson are the only players in team history with at least seven selections in their first eight seasons. Peterson had eight.
  • Baker joins Hall of Famer Larry Wilson as the only players to be named to the Pro Bowl at least six times as a safety. Wilson had eight.
  • Only four other players in franchise history have at least as many selections as Baker: WR Larry Fitzgerald (11), Peterson (eight), Wilson (eight) and CB Roger Wehrli (seven).
  • Baker is one of only six players in franchise history to be selected to at least six Pro Bowls. The other five are Peterson (eight in a row), Fitzgerald (seven in a row), Wilson, CB Aeneas Williams and Rb Ollie Matson (all six like Baker).
  • Baker is the only safety in the NFL named to the Pro Bowl each of the last six seasons (2019-24).
  • Jalen Ramsey, who has seven as well, and Beker are the only active defensive backs in the league with seven selections.

McBride is the first Cardinals tight end to make the Pro Bowl since Hall of Famer Jackie Smith in 1970, joining Smith as the only tight ends in franchise history to be selected.

He has 104 receptions for 1,081 yards and a touchdown this season, establishing career-highs in both catches and yards. His total receptions shattered the franchise single-season record for tight end receptions he set last season with 81. His yardage total is the second-most in franchise history at his position.

Three other players were Pro Bowl alternates — kick returners DeeJay Dallas, left tackle Paris Johnson and kicker Chad Ryland.

The 2025 Pro Bowl games will be a week-long event with conference vs. conference athletic and skill competitions in Orlando. It ends with a 7-on-7 flag football game that will be televised on ABC and ESPN on Feb. 2.

Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire’s Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.

 

Bucs’ Vita Vea earns contractual bonus with 2024 Pro Bowl selection

On Thursday, Vita Vea was named to his second Pro Bowl, and as a result, he is now receiving some extra money. 

Vita Vea, who joined the Bucs in 2018, leads the team’s monstrous defensive line. He was drafted 12th overall out of Washington in the 2018 draft and has since become not only a fan favorite but also one of the best players at his position.

On Thursday, Vita Vea was named to his second Pro Bowl, and as a result, he is now receiving some extra money.

According to Spotrac, several NFL players are cashing in various amounts from Thursday’s Pro Bowl announcements. One of them is Vita Vea of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Vea is now slated with his latest Pro Bowl selection to be in line for a $500k to be added to his base salary of $15.5 million.

Vea signed a four-year, $71 million dollar contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in January of 2022. If his play keeps on the course it currently is on, he could be in line to keep adding value to his contract through various bonuses, like the Pro Bowl one.

2 Cardinals finish in top 10 of pro Bowl fan voting at their positions

Both Baker and McBride finished sixth in fan voting at their positions.

The fan vote for this year’s Pro Bowl Games is over and two Arizona Cardinals players were among the most popular at their positions.

Safety Budda Baker finished sixth in fan voting at strong safety and tight end Trey McBride finished sixth in fan voting at tight end.

Baker was behind Minnesota’s Josh Martellus, Detroit’s Brian Branch, Baltimore’s Kyle Hamilton and Washington’s Jeremy Chinn.

McBride was behind Kansas City’s Travis Kelce (who led all players in fan votes with 252,200), Las Vegas’ Brock Bowers, San Francisco’s George Kittle, Detroit’s Sam LaPorta and Miami’s Jonnu Smith.

It is no surprise those two players are among the Cardinals’ most popular players.

The only other player that perhaps could crack the list at his position would be running back James Conner.

He did not.

The rosters for the Pro Bowl Games will be announced Thursday, Jan. 2. They are determined by a combination of fan votes, player votes and coach votes.

Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire’s Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.

 

Pro Bowl Voting is now open, vote for your favorite Bucs players

On Monday, the NFL announced that Pro Bowl voting is now open which means you can vote for your favorite Bucs players. 

The Pro Bowl has had its ups and downs over the years, but it has never ceased to give us memorable moments. From Sean Taylor derailing a punter on a trick play to Tyreek Hill and Justin Jefferson toying with defenders in flag football, we get memories out of these events, and you, the fans, get to decide who makes those for you.

On Monday, the NFL announced that Pro Bowl voting is now open, which means you can vote for your favorite Bucs players.

Most positions allow you to vote for up to six players in each of them. On offense, you have so many options from Baker Mayfield to Tristan Wirfs to Cade Otton. This offense has so many pieces that Bucs fans can vote for and should so make sure you don’t forget anyone.

On defense, we haven’t had much success, but a player like Vita Vea is emerging as one of the best interior pass-rushers in the NFL. Lavonte David has been a monster this year as his Hall of Fame career enters it’s last chapter.

It is also worth mentioning Chase McLaughlin is 17 for 18 kicking this year and is a whopping 7 for 8 from 50+ yards. He has been pivotal to this team’s success this year on special teams, so don’t forget him.

Pro Bowl Voting is now open, vote for your favorite Vikings players

On Monday, the NFL announced that Pro Bowl voting is now open which means you can vote for your favorite Vikings players. 

The Pro Bowl has had its ups and downs over the years, but it has never ceased to give us memorable moments. From Sean Taylor derailing a punter on a trick play to Tyreek Hill and Justin Jefferson toying with defenders in flag football, we get memories out of these events, and you, the fans, get to decide who makes those for you.

On Monday, the NFL announced that Pro Bowl voting is now open, which means you can vote for your favorite Vikings players.

Most positions allow you to vote for up to six players in each of them. Some Vikings who could get your vote on offense are Sam Darnold during his breakout season. Aaron Jones already has over 1,000 yards of offense and deserves your vote. Of course, Justin Jefferson will always get some votes but don’t forget about Jordan Addison.

On defense, the edge-rushing duo of Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel has almost 20 sacks between them. Blake Cashman has proven to be a difference-maker on that side of the ball.

When you vote for these guys, make sure you don’t forget about Will Reichard, either.

Trevor Lawrence passed on Pro Bowl invite, says Peyton Manning

Trevor Lawrence didn’t participate in the Pro Bowl because it was “kind of a late notice thing,” according to Peyton Manning.

Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence was one of three AFC passers to decline an invite to the 2024 Pro Bowl Games, according to Peyton Manning.

Manning, who served as head coach of the AFC, told reporters that he spoke to Lawrence prior to the event, and said that the Jaguars quarterback didn’t participate because it was “kind of a late notice thing.”

“Talked to him this week, trying to maybe see if he was going to come down once Lamar [Jackson] was unable to play and just couldn’t — kind of a late notice thing for him, but he’s great,” Manning said, via Brent Martineau of Action Sports Jax.

When the Pro Bowl rosters were announced in January, the three quarterbacks for the AFC were Tua Tagovailoa of the Miami Dolphins, Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs, and Lamar Jackson of the Baltimore Ravens.

While Tagovailoa participated, Mahomes was unable to because the Chiefs reached Super Bowl LVIII. Jackson opted out for reasons that weren’t made public.

Those two open spots were eventually filled by the Houston Texans’ C.J. Stroud and the Indianapolis Colts’ Gardner Minshew. How many quarterbacks declined an invite before those two accepted is unclear, though. The Buffalo Bills’ Josh Allen was reportedly one of the other passers who skipped the event.

Lawrence, 24, finished his third season in the NFL with 21 touchdowns and 14 interceptions.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Every Jaguars highlight from the 2024 Pro Bowl Games

If you missed Josh Allen, Evan Engram, and Ross Matiscik at the Pro Bowl, we’ve got you covered.

The Jacksonville Jaguars had three players participating in the 2024 Pro Bowl Games this year: pass rusher Josh Allen, tight end Evan Engram, and long snapper Ross Matiscik.

Unlike previous years, the weekend of festivities for the NFL’s all-star selections didn’t end with an actual football game.

Instead, the NFL recently replaced the game with a series of skills competitions and events culminating in a flag football game to determine the winning conference.

That meant a dizzying few days of mini-games and highlights involving Allen, Engram, and Matiscik. If you couldn’t keep up with all the Pro Bowl action in Orlando, Fla., have no fear. We’ll get you all caught up on all the Jaguars highlights from the 2024 Pro Bowl Games:

Bears CB Jaylon Johnson seals NFC’s win over AFC in Pro Bowl

Bears CB Jaylon Johnson came away with the game-sealing pass breakup in the Pro Bowl, giving the NFC a win.

The Chicago Bears were well-represented at the 2024 Pro Bowl Games, where a couple of contributors helped the NFC to victory.

Star pass rusher Montez Sweat secured crucial wins for the NFC in the Move the Sticks and Gridiron Gauntlet challenges, so it’s only right his defensive teammate, star cornerback Jaylon Johnson, finished the job.

The AFC was down by less than a touchdown as they stood only a few yards from the goal line, and the NFC needed an outstanding defensive play to seal the game. Johnson answered the call, using the entirety of his large frame to bat away Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud’s pass from standout Chargers receiver Keenan Allen, claiming the win for the NFC as time expired.

Johnson didn’t get much of an opportunity to demonstrate the skill that got him to the Pro Bowl in the first place, but he came up when his squad needed him the most. Johnson demonstrated tremendous growth throughout the 2023 season, producing a career-high four interceptions and 10 pass deflections.

Bears DE Montez Sweat reaches new heights in Gridiron Gauntlet win at Pro Bowl

Bears DE Montez Sweat helped the NFC to another Pro Bowl skills challenge win in the Gridiron Gauntlet.

The Chicago Bears are well-represented in the 2024 Pro Bowl Games in Orlando, Fla., with defensive end Montez Sweat and cornerback Jaylon Johnson.

Sweat has been a big contributor for the NFC team, helping them to two key skill competition wins on Sunday. After helping them in the Move the Chains competition, Sweat came up big during one of the Pro Bowl Games’ most anticipated events: Gridiron Gauntlet.

The Gridiron Gauntlet is a full-field relay race between six AFC and six NFC players who take on different tasks in a challenging obstacle course. Sweat participated in the High Point challenge, where he jumped on a trampoline and punched out a football in three consecutive takes.

Sweat’s teammate, cornerback Jaylon Johnson, is participating in the flag football game.

Bears DE Montez Sweat leads NFC to Move the Chains win in Pro Bowl

Watch Bears star Montez Sweat helped the NFC to a key Pro Bowl challenge win.

The NFL regular season is over, but the Chicago Bears’ brightest stars are set on representing their city in the Pro Bowl.

The NFL’s best players gathered in sunny Orlando, Fla., on Sunday to participate in the NFL Pro Bowl Games, an event that celebrates the league’s most skilled players. The Pro Bowl tradition has been in effect since 1951, but the NFL did away with the dangerous pads-and-helmet Pro Bowl game and incorporated a much safer flag football contest, as well as several activities and challenges that incorporate every position.

Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson and defensive end Montez Sweat were selected to represent the Windy City, and Sweat has already demonstrated his immense strength in the Move the Chains contest, which involves consists of two five-man NFC and AFC squads moving weights off of a titanic wall and pulling the 2,000 pound structure across the finish line.

The Bears’ star defensive end made certain his NFC team won the contest.

Sweat tallied 6.0 sacks and three forced fumbles in eight games with the Bears. He also became the first player in NFL history to lead two teams in sacks on the year, also contributing 6.5 sacks with the Commanders. Sweat had 12.5 sacks in totality.

Johnson rapidly ascended into becoming one of the NFL’s best cornerbacks this year, snatching four interceptions and batting away 10 passes. He’s participating in the flag football contest.