Shedeur Sanders Earns Pro Bowl Nod Amid Coaching Rumors, Joins Star-Studded List of Replacements
Shedeur Sanders is heading to the Pro Bowl - and he’s doing it as a rookie. The Colorado product has been tapped as a replacement for MVP frontrunner Drake Maye, landing him a spot in the NFL’s annual all-star showcase. It’s a big moment for Sanders, who becomes one of the rare first-year players to earn the honor, even as an alternate.
But not everyone is buying the surface-level story.
Former Steelers defensive tackle Breiden Fehoko took to social media to suggest there might be more at play behind Sanders’ selection. According to Fehoko, the NFL could be leveraging the Pro Bowl nod to make the Cleveland Browns’ head coaching vacancy more appealing.
“NFL is smart,” he wrote on X. “They saw every candidate turn down Cleveland and said no coach is going there unless they have a Pro Bowl QB.
Expect Cleveland to have a coaching hire soon.”
Fehoko’s theory hinges on the idea that the Browns - still searching for a head coach after parting ways with Kevin Stefanski - have struggled to attract top candidates in part due to uncertainty at the quarterback position. Sanders, now officially a Pro Bowl quarterback, could potentially shift that narrative and give the franchise a more enticing pitch to coaching prospects.
Whether or not there’s truth to that theory, one thing is clear: Sanders is now a headliner in this year’s Pro Bowl festivities, and he’s not alone.
Big Names Join the Pro Bowl as Replacements
The Pro Bowl replacement list is filling up fast with familiar faces and rising stars. Jared Goff is among the most notable additions, stepping in for Seattle’s Sam Darnold.
This marks Goff’s fifth Pro Bowl selection and continues a strong second act in his career since leaving Los Angeles. His veteran presence adds a layer of experience to a Pro Bowl quarterback group that now includes a rookie in Sanders.
From Dallas, both KaVontae Turpin and Jake Ferguson will be suiting up for the event. Despite the Cowboys missing the playoffs for the second straight year, the duo’s individual performances earned them the nod. Turpin’s electric play on special teams and Ferguson’s emergence as a reliable target in the passing game have been bright spots in an otherwise frustrating season for Dallas fans.
Buffalo Bills tight end Dalton Kincaid will also be making his Pro Bowl debut, replacing Travis Kelce. Kincaid had a breakout season and will represent Buffalo following the team’s divisional round playoff exit. The rookie tight end showed flashes of elite potential all year, and this selection is a strong signal that he’s on the league’s radar as one of the next big names at the position.
How to Watch the 2026 Pro Bowl
With a mix of rookies, veterans, and breakout stars, the 2026 Pro Bowl is shaping up to be more than just a skills showcase - it’s a snapshot of the league’s present and future. Whether you're tuning in to see how Sanders handles the spotlight or watching seasoned pros like Goff and Kincaid rep their teams one more time this season, the event promises plenty of intrigue.
And if Fehoko’s theory proves true? Well, the Pro Bowl might just have a bigger impact on the NFL offseason than anyone expected.