NFL announces 2022 Pro Bowl rosters, headlined by Justin Herbert, Tom Brady

The NFL on Wednesday evening announced its Pro Bowl rosters for 2022 with the annual game set to take place early next year in Las Vegas.

There weren’t many surprises. Tom Brady earned his record 15th Pro Bowl appearance, but will not start for the NFC. Instead, that distinction goes to reigning NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers of the Green Bay Packers. Over in the AFC, second-year Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert will start under center.

The Indianapolis Colts led the way with seven Pro Bowlers. The Kansas City Chiefs and Los Angeles Chargers were second with six. Meanwhile, the Baltimore Ravens, Dallas Cowboys, San Francisco 49ers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers all had five voted in to the Pro Bowl.

Here’s a full look at the Pro Bowl rosters.

AFC Pro Bowl players

Justin Herbert NFL Pro Bowl — Dec 12, 2021; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) throws against the New York Giants during the first half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

QB — Justin Herbert, Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson
RB — Jonathan Taylor, Nick Chubb, Joe Mixon
WR — Tyreek Hill, Ja’Marr Chase, Stefon Diggs, Keenan Allen
TE — Mark Andrews, Travis Kelce
OT — Rashawn Slater, Orlando Brown Jr., Dion Dawkins
OG — Quenton Nelson, Joel Bitonio, Wyatt Teller
C — Corey Linsley, Ryan Kelly
FB — Patrick Ricard
DE — Myles Garrett, Maxx Crosby, Trey Hendrickson
DT — DeForest Buckner, Chris Jones, Cameron Heyward
OLB — T.J. Watt, Joey Bosa, Matt Judon
ILB — Darius Leonard, Denzel Perryman
CB — J.C. Jackson, Xavien Howard, Denzel Ward, Kenny Moore
S — Kevin Byard, Derwin James, Tyrann Mathieu
Specialists — Luke Rhodes, A.J. Cole, Justin Tucker, Devin Duvernay, Matthew Slater

Of note for AFC Pro Bowl rosters

NFL: Cincinnati Bengals at Denver Broncos — Dec 19, 2021; Denver, Colorado, USA; Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase (1) before the game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Ja’Marr Chase and Rashawn Slater both earned Pro Bowl appearances as rookies, proving the Cincinnati Bengals and Los Angeles Chargers correct in drafting them, respectively.

Despite a down season, Lamar Jackson earns his second appearance in the exhibition game. Obviously, the biggest surprise is Herbert beating out his AFC West rival in that of former NFL MVP Patrick Mahomes.

Justin Herbert stats: 66.4% completion, 4,058 yards, 32 touchdowns, 12 interceptions, 99.1 rating

NFC Pro Bowl players

NFL injury report, Aaron Rodgers injury — Dec 12, 2021; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) celebrates as he walks off the field following the game against the Chicago Bears at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

QB — Aaron Rodgers, Tom Brady, Kyler Murray
RB — Dalvin Cook, James Connor, Alvin Kamara
WR — Cooper Kupp, Davane Adams, Justin Jefferson, Deebo Samuel
TE — George Kittle, Kyle Pitts
OT — Trent Williams, Tristan Wirfs, Tyron Smith
OG — Zack Martin, Brandon Scherff, Ali Marpet
C — Jason Kelce, Ryan Jensen,
FB — Kyle Juszczyk
DE — Nick Bosa, Brian Burns, Cameron Jordan
DT — Aaron Donald, Jonathan Allen, Kenny Clark
OLB — Chandler Jones, Robert Quinn, Shaquil Barrett
ILB — Micah Parsons, Bobby Wagner
CB- Trevon Diggs, Jalen Ramsey, Darius Slay, Marshon Lattimore
S — Quandre Diggs, Budda Baker, Harrison Smith
Specialists: Josh Harris, Bryan Anger, Matt Gay, Jakeem Grant, J.T. Gray

Of note for NFC Pro Bowl roster

NFL: Dallas Cowboys at New York Giants — Dec 19, 2021; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Dallas Cowboys outside linebacker Micah Parsons (11) looks on before the game against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

It’s not really a surprise Rodgers earned the starting gig over Brady. In fact, the Green Bay Packers star is currently favored to earn his second consecutive NFL MVP award.

Aaron Rodgers stats: 67.8% completion, 3,487 yards, 30 touchdowns, four interceptions, 110.4 rating
Tom Brady stats: 67.1% completion, 4,348 yards, 36 touchdowns, 11 interceptions, 100.4 rating

Regardless, both are deserving of this honor.

Another note as it relates to the NFC Pro Bowl roster, rookies Micah Parsons and Kyle Pitts earned what will be the first of many appearances in the game.