The rosters for the 2025 Pro Bowl officially came out. While there is already a ton of speculation, one name being absent has stood out more than the rest. The best quarterback of his generation and already one of the all-time greats, Patrick Mahomes was conspicuously missing from the list after making it six straight times.
As a result, immediate discourse began about the three-time Super Bowl champion and what his exclusion from the list meant. Fans were understandably shocked, and for the most part, disappointed that Mahomes wasn’t a part of the AFC quarterback selections.
Fans Dumbfounded by Patrick Mahomes’ Exclusion From the Pro Bowl
It hasn’t been a great year for Mahomes overall. That much is apparent when anyone takes a look at the numbers for the two-time MVP. According to PFN’s QB+ metric, Mahomes has had a better grade than the average AFC quarterback just four times all season.
As a result, his QB+ grade on the year sits at just 77.5, whereas the NFC and AFC quarterbacks average out to 78.7 and 80.8, respectively. Those numbers were enough justification for many, including iconic sports media pundit Skip Bayless, to agree with the Pro Bowl selections.
“Told you about Mahomes. No way he belongs on this Pro Bowl roster.”
Told you about Mahomes. No way he belongs on this Pro Bowl roster.
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) January 2, 2025
But for others, the simple fact that Mahomes was off the list disqualified the process. After all, he is the engine behind the team with the best record, who also happens to be in the running for the first-ever three-peat in NFL history.
Including corner Trent McDuffie in the discussion, some spoke out against the Pro Bowl rosters vociferously. “No Mahomes or McDuffie is EMBARRASSING for the Pro Bowl. No one should ever take the nominations seriously ever again (if they even did in the first place).”
No Mahomes or McDuffie is EMBARRASSING for the Pro Bowl
No one should ever take the nominations seriously ever again (if they even did in the first place)
— Tucker D. Franklin (@tuckerdfranklin) January 2, 2025
Others followed with a similar sentiment. His absence was a genuine laughing matter for them, as the list was essentially disqualified for them. “I lol’d at no Patrick Mahomes in the Pro Bowl. what a world.”
I lol'd at no Patrick Mahomes in the Pro Bowl. what a world.
— Dustin Baker (@DustBaker) January 2, 2025
One fan, however, took offense to the anger at Mahomes’ exclusion. To him, it was clear there was no case to be made for Patrick Mahomes making the Pro Bowl. “I’m surprised how many Chiefs fans are outraged about Mahomes not getting into the Pro Bowl. Yes, Mahomes has played far better lately, but a lot of the Pro Bowl voting reflects on how players did the first 2.5 months of the season.
“Add in the fact that Burrow, Allen and Jackson have better stats. I don’t see any reason to be upset [at] that. Mahomes is going to be playing in a much more meaningful game anyway.”
I'm surprised how many Chiefs fans are outraged about Mahomes not getting into the Pro Bowl. Yes, Mahomes has played far better lately, but a lot of the Pro Bowl voting reflects on how players did the first 2.5 months of the season.
Add in the fact that Burrow, Allen and…
— Farzin Vousoughian (@Farzin21) January 2, 2025
PFN’s QB+ metric, too, supports the Pro Bowl selection committee. While Lamar Jackson, Joe Burrow, and Josh Allen rank in the top four of all quarterbacks this season, Mahomes falls all the way to 10 with an 85 score.
For his career, that QB+ grade ranks as the second-worst, ahead of last year’s mark of 81.6. But for some, those numbers don’t matter.
On a team with 16 players on IR, their record was enough justification for Mahomes to make the roster.
Calling into question everyone’s football knowledge, one fan wrote, “The Pro Bowl voting system is a JOKE! Not having Mahomes or McDuffie on the roster after leading a back to back Super Bowl team to a 15-1 record w/ 16 players designated to IR this yr is flat out EMBARRASSING & shows the overall lack of football knowledge by the general public.”
The Pro Bowl voting system is a JOKE! Not having Mahomes or McDuffie on the roster after leading a back to back Super Bowl team to a 15-1 record w/16 players designated to IR this yr is flat out EMBARRASSING & shows the overall lack of football knowledge by the general public.… pic.twitter.com/kYITBIPqce
— All Chief'd Up! (@AllChiefdUp) January 2, 2025
Even with the statistics not favoring him, imagining a Pro Bowl roster without, who many believe to be the best player in the sport, was an unfathomable idea. Even last season, when the Chiefs looked far from stable and Mahomes was having the worst year of his career, he still found his spot on the Pro Bowl roster.
Patrick Mahomes not making the Pro Bowl roster is WILD to me.
— Josh Brown (@JoshBrown06) January 2, 2025
Instead, Mahomes has to be an alternate for the Pro Bowl. But, as many believe, there is a good chance that he is occupied elsewhere when the game rolls around. After back-to-back championships and a 15-1 record, the Chiefs aim for history when February rolls around and they attempt the first-ever three-peat.