The AFC Pro Bowl Games roster is out, and while the New England Patriots are riding high at 12-3, only two players from Foxborough are heading to Orlando: quarterback Drake Maye and cornerback Christian Gonzalez.
Let’s start with Maye, who continues to build on what’s quickly becoming a historic start to his NFL career. He was neck-and-neck with Travis Kelce and Josh Allen in fan voting for much of the process, and while he ultimately got edged out in that department, he still secured his second consecutive Pro Bowl selection.
That puts him in elite company - joining Dan Marino, Russell Wilson, and Andrew Luck as the only quarterbacks to earn multiple Pro Bowl nods to start their careers. That’s not just trivia fodder - it’s a reflection of how impactful Maye has been right out of the gate.
And this year’s selection? It feels even more deserved than his rookie season.
With Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson, and Joe Burrow all having relatively down years by their standards, Maye’s breakout campaign made him a near-lock. He currently leads the NFL in completion percentage at a blistering 70.9%, and he’s averaging 8.7 yards per attempt - tied for the league lead with NFC Pro Bowler Sam Darnold.
That’s not just efficient; that’s explosive. He’s pushing the ball downfield and doing it with surgical precision.
His latest performance, a 300-yard outing in a 28-24 win over the Ravens on Sunday night, only solidified his case. In a game with playoff implications, Maye delivered - again.
On the other side of the ball, Christian Gonzalez earns his first Pro Bowl nod, and it’s a well-earned one. The 23-year-old has been a lockdown presence in the Patriots’ secondary all season.
In 12 games, he’s held opposing quarterbacks to a 66.3 passer rating when targeted and racked up 10 passes defended. That’s the kind of production that doesn’t always make highlight reels but makes a massive difference on Sundays.
Still, it’s hard not to feel like New England got a bit short-changed here. One name that jumps out as a clear snub: Marcus Jones.
The versatile corner has done a bit of everything in his fourth season - three interceptions, three fumble recoveries, and two punt return touchdowns. That’s a résumé that screams “Pro Bowl,” but somehow, it wasn’t enough to earn him a spot.
In a season where the Patriots have exceeded expectations and sit among the AFC’s elite, it’s fitting that Maye and Gonzalez get the recognition they deserve. But if you’ve watched this team closely, you know they’ve got more than two Pro Bowl-caliber players on this roster.