Let’s Debate: Jared Goff, Tee Higgins & the Other Top Pro Bowl Snubs

The 2026 Pro Bowl rosters dropped this week, and as always, they’re sparking heated debates across the NFL world. Fan voting, player votes, and coach input created some undeniable locks—but also some glaring omissions that have fans (and analysts) up in arms. Jared Goff and Tee Higgins headline the snub list, with several others deserving serious shoutouts. Let’s break it down position by position, make the case for the snubs, and debate who they should’ve bumped.

Jared Goff: The Biggest QB Snub in the NFC?

NFC Pro Bowl QBs: Matthew Stafford (Rams, starter), Sam Darnold (Seahawks), Dak Prescott (Cowboys).

Goff’s 2025 stats through Week 16: 348/507 (68.6%), 4,036 yards (3rd in NFL), 32 TDs (2nd), just 5 INTs, 109.4 passer rating.

The Lions sit at 8-7 amid injuries and tough losses, but Goff has been elite—carrying one of the league’s top offenses (2nd in points per game at ~30). His TD-INT ratio is absurd, and he’s top-5 in EPA per dropback. Meanwhile:

• Darnold: Revival year leading a top-seeded Seahawks team, but fewer TDs (24) and more picks (13).
• Prescott: Strong yards, but Cowboys’ inconsistencies and lower efficiency.
• Stafford: Solid for the Rams, but not outpacing Goff’s numbers.

The Case Against the Snub: Team success and narrative matter in Pro Bowl voting. Seattle’s seeding boosted Darnold; Dallas and LA have bigger markets. But purely on play? Goff deserves it over at least one (likely Darnold). He’s likely first alternate—deep playoff runs could get him in.

Who should’ve been out? Darnold. Goff’s numbers dominate.

Tee Higgins: Overshadowed Again in Cincy’s Loaded Offense

AFC Pro Bowl WRs: Ja’Marr Chase (Bengals), Nico Collins (Texans), Zay Flowers (Ravens), Courtland Sutton (Broncos).

Higgins in 2025 (13 games): 49 catches, 720 yards, 10 TDs (tied for top-5 among WRs).

Playing opposite Chase (a lock and monster), Higgins has been Burrow’s red-zone beast—scoring in bunches despite missing time (concussions). His 14.7 Y/R and clutch plays scream Pro Bowl. The AFC WR group is solid, but:

• Sutton: Career year in Denver, but more volume-driven.
• Flowers: Yards leader in AFC behind Chase/Collins, but fewer TDs.

The Case Against the Snub: AFC WR depth is thinner than NFC’s stacked group (Puka Nacua, JSN, etc.). Higgins’ TDs tie him with elite company, but sharing targets with Chase hurts visibility.

Who should’ve been out? Tough—maybe Flowers or Sutton. Higgins’ efficiency and scoring punch edge them.

Other Top Snubs Worth Debating

• Jordan Love (Packers, QB): Top-5 EPA/dropback, elite efficiency, but Packers’ record didn’t wow voters. Better raw stats than Prescott/Darnold in some metrics.
• Nahshon Wright (Bears, CB): Leads NFL in takeaways on Chicago’s turnover machine—fan vote darling, but overlooked for bigger names.
• Saquon Barkley (Eagles, RB): Noted as omission despite monster year—Eagles leaned run-heavy, but he was snubbed?
• Derrick Henry (Ravens, RB): Similar—rushing leader vibes, but no nod.
• Danielle Hunter (Texans, Edge): 13 sacks (top-3), wreaking havoc, but Texans teammates got love instead.
• Trevor Lawrence (Jaguars, QB): High total TDs, but team struggles hurt.

The Pro Bowl’s always part popularity contest—fan votes boost stars like Kelce (11th nod despite dip). But snubs like Goff (MVP-level) and Higgins (TD machine) sting most.

What’s your take? Is Goff the most egregious snub ever for his stats? Should Higgins get in over a volume guy like Sutton? Or does team success trump individual brilliance? Drop your hottest takes below—the debate’s just getting started!