This decision had to bake a little longer than needed, but ultimately, things were made right.
After being the biggest snub of this season's NFL Pro Bowl, it was announced Tuesday that Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield will replace Jayden Daniels on the NFC's Pro Bowl roster.
Daniels, a rookie, pulled out after the Washington Commanders lost to the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Championship Game on Sunday. Ironically, Daniels' Commanders also upset Mayfield's Buccaneers in the Wild Card Round of the NFL Playoffs to end the best statistical season of Mayfield's career.
Mayfield also made the Pro Bowl last year after his first season with the Buccaneers. For a franchise in which Mayfield replaced seven-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady, Mayfield is the first QB in Bucs history to earn multiple invitations to the Pro Bowl.
Guess who’s back 😎@bakermayfield becomes the first Bucs QB to earn multiple Pro Bowl invitations in franchise history. pic.twitter.com/fEqYGFlPeD
— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) January 28, 2025
After this season, Brady is really the only quarterback that rivals Mayfield in Bucs lore. Mayfield just led the Buccaneers to their fourth straight NFL Playoffs appearance, a streak which Brady started in 2021.
During the regular season, Mayfield finished with career-highs in passing yards (4,500) and passing TDs (41). Other than Mayfield, only nine other quarterbacks in NFL history have thrown for over 4,500 yards and 40 TDs in a season.
Only Brady has thrown more TD passes in a season while wearing a Buccaneers uniform. Mayfield, though, did set the single-season franchise record in completion percentage (71.4) and passer rating (106.8).
Pro Bowl Games festivities will start Thursday from Orlando, Florida. Starting at 6 p.m. CT Thursday, Pro Bowlers will compete in a skills showdown, which will be televised on ESPN.
The Pro Bowl Games Championship, which is a flag football game between the NFC and AFC, will be at 2 p.m. CT Sunday at Camping World Stadium. Eli Manning will coach the NFC, while Peyton Manning will lead the AFC during the game.
Other quarterbacks on the NFC roster include Jared Goff and Sam Darnold.
Mayfield's addition also brings the Oklahoma Sooners to seven former players being named Pro Bowlers this season. That's second behind only Alabama, which had 10.
Other Sooners earning the honor included Nik Bonitto, Creed Humphrey, Lane Johnson, CeeDee Lamb, Marvin Mims Jr. and Joe Mixon.
However, Humphrey and Johnson will not participate after making Super Bowl LIX with the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles, respectively. Lamb is also injured.