The Detroit Lions are well-represented on this year’s Pro Bowl roster in Orlando, Florida. Seven players were named to the roster, which was announced Thursday morning. Only the Baltimore Ravens (9) had more players selected.
The list starts at the top with quarterback Jared Goff, who was also named the starting quarterback for the NFC. Goff will be joined by Jayden Daniels (Commanders) Sam Darnold (Vikings) on the roster.
Goff is now a four-time Pro Bowl selection, having also gone following the 2017, 2018 and 2022 seasons. It’s his second Pro Bowl selection in three seasons in Detroit. Goff is second in the NFL with 4,398 yards and fourth in the league with 36 passing touchdowns.
Jahmyr Gibbs is now 2-for-2 in reaching the Pro Bowl. Gibbs has 1,759 scrimmage yards and 16 total touchdowns this season. Philadelphia’s Saquon Barkley will be the starting running back and Green Bay’s Josh Jacobs will also be on the roster.
Amon-Ra St. Brown will be one of the two starting wide receivers for the NFC, along with Minnesota’s Justin Jefferson. This is the third Pro Bowl selection for the Sun God, who is fourth in the NFL with 1,186 yards and is tied for second with 12 receiving touchdowns. The other player with 12 touchdowns, Terry McLaurin of the Commanders, is also on the roster as is Dallas’ CeeDee Lamb.
The offensive line had a lot of love in fan voting, but only two are on the initial roster. Offensive tackle Penei Sewell and center Frank Ragnow are not only on the roster, but were named starters up front. It’s the third selection for Sewell and the fourth for Ragnow. Lane Johnson will start along with Sewell at offensive tackle. The starting guards are Landon Dickerson (Eagles) and Tyron Smith (Cowboys).
On defense, the Lions have one selection and it is not Kerby Joseph. It is fellow safety Brian Branch, who is going to the Pro Bowl for the first time. Branch has 103 tackles, four interceptions, 15 passes defended, one sack and a forced fumble. Budda Baker gets the start at strong safety for the NFC.
Only one free safety was selected, which squeezed Joseph out. That spot went to Green Bay’s Xavier McKinney.
The last Pro Bowler, at least for now, for the Lions is punter Jack Fox. Fox is second in the NFL with a 51.0 punting average. Perhaps more importantly, he leads the league with a 46.3 net average. He’s the only punter with a net average above 45.
As a reminder, while these players were named to the Pro Bowl, their goal is to reach the Super Bowl. Players that reach the Super Bowl end up not playing in the Pro Bowl, as they’ll be preparing and traveling for the big game. Being selected to the Pro Bowl is certainly an honor, but the Lions ultimately want to end up in New Orleans, not Orlando.