Despite the Detroit Lions having the second-highest number of players selected for the Pro Bowl this season, the selection committee got it wrong.
The Detroit Lions Most Glaring Pro Bowl Selection Snub
The 2025 Pro Bowl selections were announced on Thursday morning. As expected, Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens received the most votes with nine players selected. The Detroit Lions followed next with seven team members making the Pro Bowl.
How The Pro Bowl Committee Got It Right
The selection committee correctly recognized several of the NFL’s most exceptional and talented players. The selections of Jared Goff , Jahmyr Gibbs , Amon-Ra St. Brown , Penei Sewell , and Frank Ragnow are spot on.
It’s also no surprise that Ben Johnson’s phenomenal scoring machine accounts for five of Detroit’s seven nominations. The Lions’ stellar offense has put more points on the scoreboard than any other team in the NFL. With five games over 40 points, the Lions lead the NFL in scoring with an average of 33.3 points per game totaling 533 points.
The Lions’ high-caliber offense has made the leaderboard in almost every scoring metric. The team is ranked second in total yardage with 6,568, and with 410.5 yards per game, they are one of only two teams to average over 400 yards. Detroit is also one of three NFL teams to top 4,000 passing yards (4,258 yards) with Goff playing at an elite MVP level. Goff is the first quarterback in NFL history to have five games in one season with over 275 passing yards each, two touchdowns, and a passer rating of 135 or higher.
How The Selection Committee Got It Wrong
The selection committee was also correct in recognizing the extraordinary efforts of Lions safety Brian Branch , and punter Jack Fox. Branch has been outstanding this year with 70 solo tackles, one sack, four interceptions, and a forced fumble. Fox earned his nomination and is the best punter in the NFL.
However, in recognizing these seven players, the committee neglected to honor the spectacular league-leading contribution of another Detroit Lions player. Safety Kerby Joseph leads the NFL with nine interceptions, including one run back for a touchdown.
Joseph has been irreplaceable this season as the Lions’ most reliable defender. Early in the season, he made key interceptions that were unquestionable game-savers. In week 17, he had two critical interceptions off Brock Purdy to prevent the 49ers from taking the lead. Whenever the Lions needed a big play this season, Joseph came up with a diving interception to change the course of the game. In addition to his key interceptions, Kerby has 48 solo (54 combined) tackles this season. Green Bay Packers safety Xavier McKinney who made the Pro Bowl this season has 57 solo tackles but only seven interceptions.
Perhaps a bigger error made by the Pro Bowl selection committee is scheduling the game one week before the Super Bowl. Any player selected from a Super Bowl team will be preparing for the game. They will miss out on the Pro Bowl. The alternates go in their place. That’s a shame for the players who can’t celebrate their accomplishments, and for fans who don’t get to watch their favorite players. Instead, the Pro Bowl should be scheduled as in years past, one week after the Super Bowl. It’s the final opportunity for NFL players and fans to enjoy the game and honor the player’s accomplishments in a fun and relaxed atmosphere.
Main Photo: Junfu Han-USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
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