Why Shedeur Sanders was shockingly selected to 2026 Pro Bowl after subpar Browns rookie season

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Why Shedeur Sanders was shockingly selected to 2026 Pro Bowl after subpar Browns rookie season originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Cleveland Browns didn't have an offensive player selected to the initial Pro Bowl roster, which didn't come as much of a surprise after an ugly offensive season. That is now set to change.

Rookie QB Shedeur Sanders is being added to the AFC Pro Bowl roster as a replacement, Jordan Schultz reported, making him the first fifth-round rookie since Puka Nacua to be a Pro-Bowler.

The decision won't come without scrutiny. Sanders only started seven games for the Browns, completing 56.6 percent of passes for 1,400 yards, seven touchdowns and 10 interceptions. While the rest of Cleveland's offense didn't necessarily help him out, that kind of season isn't typical of a Pro-Bowler.

Here's what you need to know about Sanders' addition to the Pro Bowl roster in the AFC.

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How did Shedeur Sanders make the Pro Bowl?​

The initial Pro Bowl roster is decided by combined fan, media and player votes.

The NFL is less transparent about the alternate process, so it isn't exactly known how a player is chosen as a replacement. Jacksonville Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence was named the top alternate the quarterback position when the initial Pro Bowl rosters were revealed in December, but it's possible Lawrence turned down the opportunity.

Sanders didn't rank within the top 10 among all quarterbacks in fan voting, but only four AFC quarterbacks did. Two — Josh Allen and Drake Maye — were selected to the Pro Bowl, while the next two — Patrick Mahomes and Bo Nix — are injured and unable to participate. That may be how Sanders ended up getting the nod.

Of course, fans could point to Aaron Rodgers, Lamar Jackson, Joe Burrow and C.J. Stroud as some of the healthy options who, while imperfect, had a stronger body of work in 2025. It's possible some, or all, turned down the opportunity. Either way, the result is a first career Pro Bowl berth for Sanders, making him the first Browns quarterback on the roster since 2008.

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Shedeur Sanders Pro Bowl voting​

While some might attribute Sanders' addition to fan voting, final voting results among fans show he wasn't even in the top 10 at the quarterback position. While the top 10 accounts for all quarterbacks, rather than just AFC quarterbacks, Sanders did not make the list.

Final top 10 by position in fan voting. pic.twitter.com/6KCyp0Rbre

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) December 22, 2025

Among AFC QBs, Maye and Allen made the roster while Mahomes and Nix are injured and unable to participate. Justin Herbert, who didn't rank inside the top 10, also made the roster, while Lawrence was an alternate but either was not selected to join the roster over Sanders or, more likely, turned down the opportunity.

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Who is Shedeur Sanders replacing?​

It isn't yet confirmed who Sanders is replacing, but the answer is presumably New England Patriots QB Drake Maye, who won't participate as he prepares for Super Bowl 60.

Josh Allen and Justin Herbert are the AFC's remaining Pro Bowl quarterbacks. While Allen has pulled out of the Pro Bowl in the past, he remains on the roster at this time.

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Pro Bowl rosters 2026​

AFC​

Player	Position	Team
Josh Allen	QB	Bills
Justin Herbert	QB	Chargers
Drake Maye*	QB	Patriots
Shedeur Sanders	QB	Browns
De'Von Achane	RB	Dolphins
James Cook	RB	Bills
Jonathan Taylor	RB	Colts
Patrick Ricard	FB	Ravens
Ja'Marr Chase	WR	Bengals
Nico Collins	WR	Texans
Zay Flowers	WR	Ravens
Courtland Sutton	WR	Broncos
Brock Bowers	TE	Raiders
Travis Kelce	TE	Chiefs
Joe Alt	OT	Chargers
Garett Bolles	OT	Broncos
Dion Dawkins	OT	Bills
Creed Humphrey	C	Chiefs
Tyler Linderbaum	C	Ravens
Quinn Meinerz	OG	Broncos
Quenton Nelson	OG	Colts
Trey Smith	OG	Chiefs
Zach Allen	DL	Broncos
Chris Jones	DL	Chiefs
Jeffery Simmons	DL	Titans
Will Anderson Jr.	DE	Texans
Maxx Crosby	DE	Raiders
Myles Garrett	DE	Browns
Nik Bonitto	OLB	Broncos
Tuli Tuipulotu	OLB	Chargers
T.J. Watt**	OLB	Steelers
Azeez Al-Shaair	ILB	Texans
Roquan Smith	ILB	Ravens
Devin Lloyd	ILB	Jaguars
Christian Gonzalez*	CB	Patriots
Derek Stingley Jr.	CB	Texans
Patrick Surtain II	CB	Broncos
Denzel Ward	CB	Browns
Jalen Ramsey	S	Steelers
Kyle Hamilton	S	Ravens
Derwin James	S	Chargers
Cameron Dicker	K	Chargers
Jordan Stout	P	Ravens
Chimere Dike	KR	Titans
Ben Skowronek	ST	Steelers
Ross Matiscik	LS	Jaguars

*Will not play due to Super Bowl berth

**Declined to participate due to injury

NFC​

Player	Position	Team
Sam Darnold*	QB	Seahawks
Dak Prescott	QB	Cowboys
Matthew Stafford	QB	Rams
Jahmyr Gibbs	RB	Lions
Christian McCaffrey	RB	49ers
Bijan Robinson	RB	Falcons
Kyle Juszczyk	FB	49ers
Puka Nacua	WR	Rams
George Pickens	WR	Cowboys
Jaxon Smith-Njigba*	WR	Seahawks
Amon-Ra St. Brown	WR	Lions
George Kittle**	TE	49ers
Trey McBride	TE	Cardinals
Penei Sewell	OT	Lions
Trent Williams	OT	49ers
Tristan Wirfs	OT	Buccaneers
Drew Dalman	C	Bears
Cam Jurgens	C	Eagles
Chris Lindstrom	OG	Falcons
Tyler Smith	OG	Cowboys
Joe Thuney	OG	Bears
Jalen Carter	DL	Eagles
Leonard Williams*	DL	Seahawks
Quinnen Williams	DL	Cowboys
Aidan Hutchinson	DE	Lions
Demarcus Lawrence*	DE	Seahawks
Micah Parsons	DE	Packers
Brian Burns	OLB	Giants
Jared Verse	OLB	Rams
Byron Young	OLB	Rams
Zack Baun	ILB	Eagles
Jack Campbell	ILB	Lions
Cooper DeJean	CB	Eagles
Jaycee Horn	CB	Panthers
Quinyon Mitchell**	CB	Eagles
Devon Witherspoon*	CB	Seahawks
Nashon Wright	CB	Bears
Kevin Byard	S	Bears
Antoine Winfield Jr.	S	Buccaneers
Budda Baker	S	Cardinals
Brandon Aubrey	K	Cowboys
Tress Way	P	Commanders
Rashid Shaheed*	KR	Seahawks
Luke Gifford	ST	49ers
Jon Weeks	LS	49ers

*Will not play due to Super Bowl berth

**Declined to participate due to injury

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