The Pro Bowl may not carry the same weight it once did, but it still serves as a stage for some of the league’s top talent to get a little shine-and maybe a little redemption. But this year, that spotlight got a bit confusing when Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders was named to the roster as an alternate.
With a stat line that includes a sub-55% completion rate, seven touchdowns, and 10 interceptions, Sanders' inclusion raised more than a few eyebrows. It’s not often you see a quarterback with more picks than scores sharing the field with ballhawks like Kevin Byard and Nahshon Wright.
But if the noise around his selection got to Sanders, he didn’t show it. The rookie carried himself like he belonged, brushing off the criticism and treating the invite like a sign of things to come.
Confidence is key in this league-but so is ball security. And that’s where things got dicey.
During the flag football portion of the Pro Bowl festivities, it didn’t take long for the Bears’ defensive duo to remind everyone why they were there. Kevin Byard, always lurking and always dangerous, snagged a tipped pass from Sanders, adding another notch to his interception tally. It was a familiar sight-Byard reading the play like a seasoned vet and capitalizing on a quarterback’s mistake.
Then in the third quarter, Sanders went deep, trying to make a statement. Instead, it was Nahshon Wright who made the play-picking him off in the end zone and adding to what’s now a troubling trend for Sanders.
That marked the fifth interception he’s thrown to Bears defenders this season alone. Not exactly the kind of stat a young quarterback wants to carry into the offseason.
But while Sanders’ struggles were on full display, Byard and Wright used the moment to boost their own stock heading into free agency. Both are set to hit the open market next month, and both made a strong case that they’re still difference-makers in the secondary.
The Bears haven’t tipped their hand on contract talks with either player, but the writing on the wall suggests they won’t be able to keep both. With the salary cap looming large, tough decisions are coming.
Wright, at just 25 and playing a premium position at cornerback, is expected to draw significant interest across the league. His youth and versatility make him a hot commodity.
Byard, meanwhile, turns 34 this year, but his instincts and leadership still hold tremendous value-especially for a team that could also lose Jaquan Brisker in free agency. If the Bears are forced to choose, Byard might be the more affordable option, with projections hovering around $7 million per year. That’s a reasonable price for a veteran safety who continues to produce and mentor younger players.
Of course, free agency rarely goes according to script. A surprise offer here or a cap-clearing move there can shift the landscape in a hurry. But as things stand, the Bears will have to make a call-and soon.
As for Sanders, the message is clear: the NFL doesn’t wait for anyone to figure it out. If he wants to stick around in this league, he’s going to have to clean up the turnovers and start making smarter decisions with the football. Because if he doesn’t, defenders like Byard and Wright will keep doing what they do best-making quarterbacks pay.