The Pro Bowl Games are often met with a collective shrug from fans, but for the Minnesota Vikings, this year’s announcement came with an extra sting: not a single player from the roster was selected. That puts the Vikings in rare company - they’re one of just three teams across the league without a Pro Bowler this season, joining the New Orleans Saints and New York Jets in that not-so-exclusive club.
It’s only the third time in franchise history that Minnesota has been completely shut out of the Pro Bowl. The last two times this happened?
1983 and 2014. So yeah, it’s not exactly a yearly occurrence.
Now, before we start firing off “snub” tweets or launching into debates about injustice, let’s take a step back. As talented as the Vikings roster is in spots, it’s tough to find a clear-cut case for any one player being left out.
Justin Jefferson - normally a Pro Bowl lock - saw his production dip this season, largely due to the revolving door at quarterback. It’s hard to post eye-popping numbers when your offense is constantly in flux.
Defensively, Brian Flores’ unit has had its moments. The scheme has been aggressive, the effort unquestioned, and the improvement from last season is clear.
But Pro Bowl nods usually go to players who put up standout individual stats, and that’s where things fall short. You could maybe make a case for someone like Jalen Redmond, but even that’s a stretch.
He’s been solid, sure - but Pro Bowl-caliber? That’s a tough sell.
If there are any legitimate gripes, they probably come from special teams. Let’s start with long snapper Andrew DePaola.
He’s been a model of consistency and reliability, earning Pro Bowl honors each of the last three seasons. He even led fan voting at his position this year.
But that still wasn’t enough to get him back in. It’s a thankless job, and unfortunately, even fan support doesn’t always tip the scales.
Then there’s rookie kicker Will Reichard, who’s been about as steady as they come. Reichard has hit 27 of his 29 field goal attempts, perfect on everything under 50 yards and 9-of-11 from 50-plus.
One of those two misses? It hit the skycam wire at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London.
The other came in a hurry-up situation against the Chargers, when the team didn’t get the special “K” ball swapped in on time. Neither miss really falls on Reichard’s leg - and yet, no Pro Bowl invite.
It’s worth noting that Pro Bowl rosters aren’t final. Every year, players drop out due to injuries or Super Bowl conflicts, and alternates get the call.
So there’s still a chance someone from the Vikings sneaks in down the line. But as of now, the initial list is set - and Minnesota is on the outside looking in.
For a team that’s battled through adversity all season, it’s a tough pill. But it also reflects where the Vikings are right now: a roster with talent, but not enough high-end production in 2025 to earn league-wide recognition.