The AFC’s Pro Bowl quarterback lineup this year is turning heads - and not just for the usual star power. Sure, Joe Burrow’s inclusion doesn’t raise any eyebrows.
The Bengals’ franchise QB has long since proven he belongs on the big stage. But when you look at the rest of the AFC signal-callers, things get a little more unexpected.
Let’s start with Shedeur Sanders. The rookie cracked the Pro Bowl roster in his first year - a rare feat that signals just how much buzz he’s generated around the league.
Then there’s Joe Flacco, who at 41 years old is back in the Pro Bowl mix. It’s a remarkable late-career twist for a quarterback many had written off, and a testament to how wild and unpredictable the NFL season can be.
But perhaps the most surprising Pro Bowl storyline didn’t involve someone who’s going - it’s someone who isn’t. According to NFL Media, Justin Fields of the New York Jets was reportedly invited to participate in the Pro Bowl Games, but declined in order to focus on offseason training.
Now, that’s notable for a few reasons. Fields was benched during the 2025 season, and his numbers weren’t exactly Pro Bowl-caliber.
He finished the year with a 2-7 record as a starter, completing 62.7% of his passes for 1,259 yards, seven touchdowns, and just one interception. While that low interception total stands out, his 6.2 yards per attempt marked a career low, and overall, it was a tough year for a quarterback who signed a two-year, $40 million deal with the Jets just 11 months ago.
Still, Fields remains one of the most dynamic athletes at the position. His legs have always been a big part of his game - just think back to 2022, when he rushed for 1,143 yards and eight touchdowns with the Bears.
That’s second only to Lamar Jackson for the most rushing yards by a quarterback in a single season. And who could forget that electric performance against the Dolphins, when he set the NFL single-game quarterback rushing record with 178 yards and a touchdown in a 35-32 loss?
That version of Fields is still in there - the question is whether the Jets (or another team) can bring it back out.
Fields wasn’t the only AFC quarterback to turn down a Pro Bowl nod. C.J.
Stroud, the standout rookie from the Houston Texans, also declined his invitation, opting to get a jump on preparing for next season. That left the AFC scrambling a bit at quarterback.
Originally, the Pro Bowl slate was supposed to feature Josh Allen, Drake Maye, and Justin Herbert. But Allen is recovering from foot surgery, Maye is busy preparing for the Super Bowl, and Herbert is dealing with injuries of his own.
So the AFC had to dig a little deeper this year - and the result is a Pro Bowl quarterback group that blends youth, experience, and a few surprises. Between a rookie sensation, a veteran revival, and the notable absences of some big names, this year’s quarterback storylines are as compelling as ever.