Breaking down every reason Patrick Mahomes was snubbed for 2025 NFL Pro Bowl
The announcement of the 2025 NFL Pro Bowl rosters stirred up plenty of discussion, but the most shocking omission was that of Patrick Mahomes. Despite leading the Kansas City Chiefs to an impressive 15-1 record and clinching the AFC’s No. 1 playoff seed, Mahomes missed out on the Pro Bowl for the first time as a starter. Here’s a breakdown of the reasons behind this snub and how his performance stacks up against the chosen quarterbacks.
A Statistical Perspective about Mahomes’ 2024 Performance
While Patrick Mahomes remains one of the league’s elite quarterbacks, his 2024 season, by advanced metrics, wasn’t as dominant as in previous years. Using the QB+ metric from Pro Football Network, which evaluates quarterbacks’ game-by-game and overall performance, Mahomes ranked 10th overall for the season—behind rivals like Lamar Jackson, Josh Allen, and Joe Burrow.
- Best Game Grade: Mahomes’ top game score of 84.9 (B grade) from Week 8 against the Raiders was ranked 22nd among his career-best performances since 2019. Meanwhile, Lamar Jackson recorded four “A” grade games, with Allen and Burrow also outperforming Mahomes in top-tier performances.
- Season Score: Mahomes’ 85.0 QB+ season score ranked 5th among AFC quarterbacks and was his fifth-best out of six seasons since 2019. Lamar Jackson led the league in this category, with Allen and Burrow securing 3rd and 4th places, respectively.
Key Metrics That Contributed to Mahomes’ Snub
Several performance metrics reveal why Mahomes was overlooked for the Pro Bowl:
- Top 100 Games: Mahomes managed only four games ranked among the top 100 games of the 2024 season, falling behind Jackson (10), Allen (9), and Burrow (6).
- High-Grade Consistency: Mahomes failed to record an “A” grade game in 2024, whereas Jackson led the league with multiple elite performances. This lack of standout games hurt his chances in a competitive quarterback pool.
- Career Comparisons: When compared to his prior seasons, Mahomes’ 2024 output was relatively modest. For example, his 84.9 score ranked just 52nd overall for all qualified quarterback games this season.
How Jackson, Allen, and Burrow Earned Their Pro Bowl Spots
The quarterbacks selected to represent the AFC—Lamar Jackson, Josh Allen, and Joe Burrow—outperformed Mahomes in key areas throughout 2024:
- Lamar Jackson: The Ravens’ star dominated the season with the 4th, 9th, 10th, and 13th highest QB+ grades, including four “A” grade performances. Jackson’s consistency and dynamic play made him an easy choice for the Pro Bowl.
- Josh Allen: Although Allen didn’t secure any “A” grades, his four top games (B+ or higher) outpaced Mahomes’ best performances. His steady production helped cement his Pro Bowl spot.
- Joe Burrow: Burrow’s top score of the season ranked 5th overall, with two games graded higher than Mahomes’ best. His clutch performances, particularly against tough opponents, gave him the edge over Mahomes.
Mahomes’ Snub Sparks Debate
Despite missing the 2025 Pro Bowl, Patrick Mahomes remains one of the NFL’s most elite quarterbacks. His 2024 season, while not his career best, still positioned the Kansas City Chiefs as Super Bowl contenders. However, the Pro Bowl voting system rewards standout individual performances, and Mahomes’ season lacked the high-grade games his peers delivered.
Ultimately, the selections of Lamar Jackson, Josh Allen, and Joe Burrow were based on their stronger statistical showings and consistent performances. Still, Mahomes’ omission fuels debate about how Pro Bowl rosters are determined. With the Chiefs in prime position for another Super Bowl run, Mahomes will have the opportunity to remind the league why he’s one of the greatest quarterbacks of his generation.
