Dan Patrick believes alternative Pro-Bowl selections should not get stat on record for ‘playing dodgeball’
Drake Maye getting into the Pro Bowl as an alternate for Josh Allen does not sit well with analyst Dan Patrick.
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Dan Patrick wants alternate Pro Bowl selections to wear an 'A' (Image via X)
Today NFL’s 2024-25 Pro Bowl games start. Bills QB Josh Allen decided not to participate as he is still feeling the effects of losing again to Patrick Mahomes in postseason. With him and Lamar Jackson dropping out, the league brought in Drake Maye and Russell Wilson as alternates. But analyst Dan Patrick does not appreciate it.
When Drake Maye’s selection came in, it surprised many. His New England Patriots finished the season a disappointing 4-13, making his efforts not all that impactful. However, Pro Bowl selections prioritize individual performances more than team impact, therefore, the rookie got the call.
However, the questions still arise on whether certain players do earn a Pro Bowl selection as alternates. On one hand, the player who received the original vote still has the selection showing up on their career records. Then the alternate also gets it just because of the original selection pulled out. Analyst Dan Patrick had something to say about this.
It’s the scarlet letter. I want to apply it to the NFL and it’s a big A. It’s the Pro Bowl alternate. JJ Watt, he was saying that it is now kind of a participatory award. ‘Hey, you made the Pro Bowl.’ Well, not really. You get to go play dodgeball. I think you have to make sure you have this designation if you are an alternate.
Dan Patrick said via his namesake show
DP suggests the #NFL should mark players who make the Pro Bowl as alternates with a visible distinction on their helmet or jersey—a "Scarlet Letter" of sorts. pic.twitter.com/PjccwgPCr0
— Dan Patrick Show (@dpshow) January 29, 2025
The longtime analyst believes all the NFL wants is participants in the Pro Bowl weekend. Therefore, the alternate players should not have the selection showing on their resume. His reasoning is that they did not completely earn it.
Dan Patrick wants differentiation to avoid Hall of Fame votes
The former ESPN and FOX analyst went on to add that alternates should have a big ‘A’ on their jerseys when they participate. Along with that, it should not count against their careers as then, it creates problems for Hall of Fame voters.
You just want to do First Team Pro Bowl quarterback and that counts on your resume. Because once we get to the sixth alternate here, it’s on your resume. It helps players get into the Hall of Fame. You have to differentiate.
Dan Patrick said
Dan Patrick believes there are a lot of players eligible for Hall of Fame, but their statistics do not help their cause. Others have to go through several rounds of missing out to finally be able to wear the gold jacket when the league does not have enough elite candidates.
His logic does hold some truth, as even the likes of Robert Kraft are waiting for the knock on their door. Whereas others with ‘Pro Bowl’ alternates on their resume are getting the call. Patrick believes the NFL should help the team differentiate from the actual top players in the league and not just to pack dodgeball teams.
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Joseph Varghese
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