The Cleveland Browns only won five games this season, which surely contributed to head coach Kevin Stefanski’s dismissal. But the two-time NFL Coach of the Year didn’t stay unemployed for long, as he’s already been hired as the Atlanta Falcons’ head coach.
One factor that held the Browns back all season long was their inconsistent play from the quarterback position. It’s not like they didn’t try several options. Three different quarterbacks started at least one game for the Browns in 2025.
Joe Flacco started four games. Third-round rookie Dillon Gabriel started six. Fifth-round rookie Shedeur Sanders started seven. Now, one of them has been named to the Pro Bowl.
According to the NFL, Sanders has been named as an AFC alternate to the Pro Bowl. Sanders completed just 56.6% of his passes, which was the worst rate in the NFL. Sanders finished with 1,400 yards, 7 TDs, and 10 interceptions. Those numbers aren’t exactly great.
So, how did this happen? How did Sanders earn a Pro Bowl nod? Mainly because the other quarterbacks are either injured or, in Drake Maye’s case, playing in the Super Bowl.
Who were the original Pro Bowl QBs for the AFC?
Josh Allen and Justin Herbert are still recovering from minor injuries that impacted their playmaking ability in their respective playoff losses. As for their replacements? Also injured.
Bo Nix fractured his ankle. Patrick Mahomes tore his ACL. Daniel Jones tore his Achilles tendon. Keep in mind, other quarterbacks who may have been in line to replace the names above have the ability to decline the trip to the Pro Bowl.
As for Sanders? He’s the first Browns QB to earn a trip to the Pro Bowl since Derek Anderson accomplished the feat back in 2008. While playing in the Pro Bowl may be a special memory he won’t forget, the bigger accomplishment would be securing the Browns’ starting QB job for 2026, in which he’ll surely face more competition.
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