Pro Bowl Selections Highlight Browns’ Talent-But Also Underscore the Gaps
Let’s be honest-when it comes to the NFL Pro Bowl Games, popularity often trumps production. That’s just the nature of fan voting. And while the Cleveland Browns saw two of their biggest names land on the AFC’s Pro Bowl roster this year, the selections-and omissions-sparked more than a few conversations in Northeast Ohio and beyond.
Garrett’s No-Brainer, Ward’s a Head-Scratcher
Defensive end Myles Garrett was always going to be a Pro Bowler. He’s one sack away from breaking the NFL’s all-time single-season sack record of 22.5, and he’s been the engine of Cleveland’s defense all year long. That selection was about as automatic as it gets.
Cornerback Denzel Ward also made the cut, but that one raised some eyebrows. Ward has missed time recently with a calf injury and hasn’t quite played to his usual All-Pro level this season.
He’s still one of the league’s better corners when healthy, but his 2025 campaign hasn’t been his most dominant. That opened the door for debates-like whether someone like Cincinnati’s D.J.
Turner II, who’s had a breakout year, might’ve been more deserving.
But that’s the Pro Bowl for you. Every year, deserving players get left out while big names make it on reputation. It’s part of the deal.
The Real Snub? Carson Schwesinger
If Browns fans are upset about anything, it’s not Ward getting in-it’s Carson Schwesinger getting left out. The rookie linebacker has played like a man possessed all season.
He’s been a force across the board and has put up numbers that outshine veterans like Roquan Smith and first-timer Azeez Al-Shaair. Most projections have Schwesinger as the front-runner for Defensive Rookie of the Year, and yet, he’ll be watching the Pro Bowl as an alternate.
He’s not alone. The Browns had four alternates named: Schwesinger, running back Quinshon Judkins, tight end Harold Fannin Jr., and safety Grant Delpit (as a special teams selection). That’s a strong group, and it speaks to the young talent Cleveland has started to accumulate.
Shedeur Sanders Sends a Message
When asked about the Pro Bowl recognition for his rookie teammates, quarterback Shedeur Sanders didn’t just give a pat answer-he gave a mission statement.
“They’re all deserving of it. I’m sure everybody’s excited for it.
But the main goal is to make it be that undisputedly, you know? To make it where there’s no question, no anything.
So it shows that we’re on the right track, but I think in the future, it will be better.”
That’s the kind of mindset you want from your quarterback. Sanders didn’t just hype up his guys-he acknowledged that while the recognition is nice, the goal is to leave no doubt.
That’s how you change the narrative around a team. That’s how you build a culture.
The Frustration Is Real-And Understandable
Cleveland’s season unraveled before Christmas, and that’s becoming an all-too-familiar storyline. But this year’s disappointment stings a little more because the talent is clearly there.
Garrett and Ward have been foundational pieces for nearly a decade. Schwesinger and Fannin look like future stars. Judkins and Sanders, if developed properly, could form a dynamic backfield duo that gives the Browns a real offensive identity.
But here’s the rub: talent only takes you so far if it’s not in the right places.
Quarterback has been a revolving door since the Browns went all-in on Deshaun Watson in 2022, and that gamble hasn’t paid off. The offensive line lacked both youth and depth this season, and the wide receiver room didn’t exactly strike fear into opposing secondaries. When your depth chart at QB, tackle, and WR is shaky from the jump, you’re fighting uphill all year long.
Looking Ahead to 2026-and Beyond
The Browns are staring down another potential rebuild in 2026, and that could mean major changes in leadership. But it won’t be a total teardown. The franchise has legitimate pieces to build around-players who’ve shown they can be cornerstones if given the right system and support.
And that’s where Sanders’ comments matter. They reflect a locker room that still believes, even after a tough season.
They reflect a young core that’s hungry, not content with being alternates or honorable mentions. They want to be the standard.
If the Browns can align that mindset with smart decision-making in the front office and better roster construction, the pieces are there. The frustration is justified-but so is the hope.