The New Orleans Saints were the only team not represented on the 2025 Pro bowl Games roster for the NFC, but that’s due to a couple of factors. For one thing, all of their credible options on offense were injured — wide receivers Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed, plus star running back Alvin Kamara. For another, their usually-reliable defense regressed hard this year, hurting the chances of frequent Pro Bowlers like linebacker Demario Davis, safety Tyrann Mathieu, and defensive end Cameron Jordan.
But there was a major snub, too. Special teams ace J.T. Gray wasn’t recognized for his tremendous efforts in the game’s third phase.
Gray, 28, has won a spot at the Pro Bowl before in 2021, as well as recognition on the Associated Press All-Pro team in 2019 (second team) and 2021 (first team). And this year was arguably his best yet. Gray led the league with 22 tackles on special teams (10 solo with 12 assists, both the most in the NFL) and also had a blocked punt. He just made one of the impressive plays you’ll see in the kicking game last Sunday by sprinting down the sideline to down a punt at the 1-yard line.
He’s been a force on special teams ever since the Saints signed him. The former undrafted free agent from Mississippi State won a spot on the 53-man roster in his 2018 rookie year because his coaches recognized his talents in a key phase. It’s just a shame that Gray didn’t get his due credit this year, but playing on a losing team without many high-profile games (or, more critically, high-profile wins) will do that. Maybe he’ll get in as an alternate, and All-Pro voters typically have a more discerning eye for postseason awards, but he should’ve gotten in outright.
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