A snub is in the eye of the beholder.

After the rosters for the 2025 Pro Bowl Games are announced, there will be plenty of discussion and debate about the players from both conferences. Some will be horrified if they miss out on the games. Others will take comfort in the fact that one or two particular players have finally gotten the attention they deserve. Everyone has their own list – that’s only natural.

With a total of 88 spots spread across two conferences and each position limited, it is impossible to honor every worthy player. The probability that everyone has the same 88 names is zero percent. This is why such “snub” lists exist.

By undertaking this endeavor again, I personally feel less offended by players who were left behind. Instead, I would like to take this opportunity to highlight those men who have had outstanding years and perhaps narrowly missed the cut. Some on my list will be outliers to a greater extent than others. The game of “Who would you replace?” is completely unfair to the talented players did have their names in the first squad. It’s also not necessary. This is an all-star event for fun, not a cabinet position – and a number of players on the original roster will be replaced, some because of a trip to the Super Bowl, others because of injuries or other reasons.

Before I get to my list, you should know that there is a name that you won’t see below and that you can consider it as one snubbed Snub if necessary: ​​Patrick Mahomes.

The No. 1-seeded Chiefs’ quarterback has essentially been a Pro Bowl contender, earning honors every season since he was named the team’s starter in 2018. Given Mahomes’ status as back-to-back Super Bowl MVP when he leads Kansas City to a 15-1 record, one could easily make a case for him to become a Pro Bowler again in 2025. Yet by any measure outside of the win column – which is certainly the case Mahomes would say that’s all he cares about – this has been a bad year for the all-world talent.

With Mahomes sitting out a meaningless contest against the Broncos in Week 18, Mahomes will hit career lows (since 2018) in passing yards (3,928) and completion percentage (50.7%, according to Pro Football Reference). have. , yards per attempt (6.8) and yards per game (245.5), while also matching his lowest total in TD passes (26). For most QBs, these numbers would be fine, if not excellent. For Mahomes, they’re just fine. What’s even more impressive is his ability to deliver clutch plays in the crucible of big moments.

Mahomes’ failure also speaks to the insane level at which Josh Allen, Joe Burrow and Lamar Jackson are currently playing. Allen leads a gigantic Bills offense with his arms and legs. He’s creating fewer negative plays (he’s only totaled 14 sacks so far) than ever before. Burrow leads pretty much every statistical category and would probably be the MVP if it weren’t for the sieve-like defense holding Cincinnati back. And Jackson is having a better season than 2023, when he was named MVP for the second time of his career.

I wouldn’t begrudge anyone who insists that leaving out the quarterback of a 15-1 club is a snub; Mahomes just wasn’t on my list this season.