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.

Related: Updated NFL power rankings heading into Week 16

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

Related: Sportsnaut’s list of the top 100 NFL players

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.

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

Related: Sportsnaut’s NFL Playoff and Super Bowl predictions

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.