Juwan Johnson Cracks Pro Bowl Voting - But Even Saints Fans Didn’t See This Coming
Pro Bowl voting is underway, and while the New Orleans Saints haven’t exactly lit up the ballot box this year, one name has surprisingly emerged near the top of his position group: tight end Juwan Johnson.
Yep, not Demario Davis. Not Chris Olave.
It’s Johnson, who currently ranks 10th among all NFL tight ends in fan voting - and sixth in the NFC. With Sam LaPorta out for the season, that effectively bumps Johnson into the top five in the conference.
It’s the kind of twist nobody saw coming back in September.
The Numbers Don’t Lie - Even If the Narrative Feels Off
Johnson’s not exactly a household name, even among Saints fans. He’s had moments - flashes of the athleticism and matchup potential that made New Orleans invest in him - but consistency has often been the missing piece.
And let’s not forget, his season didn’t exactly start on the right foot. In the opener, he dropped what could’ve been a game-winning touchdown from Spencer Rattler.
For a lot of fans, that moment stuck. It’s the kind of play that lingers in the memory, especially when expectations are high and results are shaky.
But here we are, three months later, and Johnson’s quietly putting together his best season yet. He’s already set career highs in receptions and receiving yards - with five games still to go.
Statistically, he’s second among NFC tight ends in receiving yards, trailing only Trey McBride. In receptions, he ranks fourth in the conference, behind McBride, Jake Ferguson, and Kyle Pitts.
Not bad company to keep.
So Why the Pro Bowl Buzz?
That’s the million-dollar question. Fan voting is always a bit of a wild card - part popularity contest, part fantasy football fever dream.
It’s hard to imagine fans from outside New Orleans rallying behind Johnson, which raises the possibility that fantasy owners may be driving some of the momentum. Still, Saints fans, even with their frustrations, may be acknowledging the growth in Johnson’s game.
There’s also the reality that the NFC tight end landscape isn’t exactly loaded with dominant, no-doubt Pro Bowlers this year. Injuries have taken their toll, and several big names haven’t had standout seasons. In that context, Johnson’s steady production - even if it’s not headline-grabbing - starts to look more Pro Bowl-worthy.
A Complicated Relationship with the Fan Base
Let’s be honest: Johnson hasn’t always been the most popular figure in New Orleans. After signing a new contract, expectations were high.
And when those expectations aren’t met right away, fans tend to get vocal. That early-season drop didn’t help his case, and for a while, it looked like the narrative around Johnson was going to be more about missed opportunities than potential fulfilled.
But credit where it’s due - he’s bounced back. He’s become a bigger part of the Saints’ offense, and the numbers reflect that. No, he hasn’t had a signature moment to erase the memory of Week 1, but he’s been consistent, reliable, and productive - three things that matter when you're evaluating Pro Bowl candidates.
Is He a True Pro Bowler?
That’s a tougher call. If you’re going strictly by the eye test, Johnson might not jump off the screen the way some other tight ends do.
He doesn’t have the highlight-reel plays or the national buzz. But if you’re looking at production - and especially production relative to the rest of the NFC - he’s right there in the mix.
It’s not the Pro Bowl campaign anyone expected from the Saints this year, but in a season full of ups and downs, Johnson’s quiet rise might be one of the more intriguing storylines. Whether he ultimately makes the roster or not, he’s earned his way into the conversation - and that alone is a win most fans wouldn’t have predicted back in Week 1.