Why is Joe Flacco in the Pro Bowl? Veteran QB added as replacement after a mediocre, two-team season

The 2026 Pro Bowl is set to feature a Bengals quarterback — just not the one you might expect.

Cincinnati QB Joe Flacco was named to the AFC Pro Bowl roster Friday. He is set to replace Josh Allen, who was ruled out after undergoing surgery to repair a broken bone in his foot following the Bills’ postseason exit.

For Flacco, the accolade is a notable one. The 41-year-old has earned plenty of honors across his NFL career, but prior to Friday, he had never secured a Pro Bowl berth.

Still, Flacco’s numbers across 10 starts with the Browns and Bengals were fairly unremarkable. He completed 60.3 percent of his passes for 2,479 yards, 15 touchdowns and 10 interceptions during the regular season. Those figures are, admittedly, fairly impressive for an aging veteran who flirted with retirement not too long ago.

Even so, they are not metrics typically befitting of a Pro Bowl quarterback.

So why was Flacco handed Allen’s spot on the final AFC Pro Bowl roster? Here’s what you need to know.

MORE: Ranking Shedeur Sanders and the 6 worst Pro Bowl QBs in NFL history

How did Joe Flacco make the Pro Bowl?

Flacco's insertion into the Pro Bowl roster is somewhat cloaked by mystery. The league's initial Pro Bowl roster is decided by combined fan, media and player votes. Its alternate process is murkier, by comparison. Alternates often drop out, opting to go on vacation rather than participate in the flag football showcase. That would then force the league to search for a replacement to fill the void -- a vacuum that can lead to some dubious Pro Bowl selections.

Flacco didn't place among the top 10 in fan voting among quarterbacks, but only four AFC quarterbacks did. Two were selected to participate in the Pro Bowl -- Josh Allen and Drake Maye -- while the next two -- Patrick Mahomes and Bo Nix -- are unable to participate due to injury. Flacco's selection could indicate that the NFL was bereft of many quality AFC options to deliver passes at the Moscone Center. Aaron Rodgers, Lamar Jackson, Joe Burrow and C.J. Stroud were all potential candidates to take part in the fixture. But it's entirely possible -- and, in some ways, likely -- that some or all declined the NFL's invitation.

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While posting fairly pedestrian numbers in 2026, Flacco could be considered an enticing Pro Bowl option. He had gone 18 seasons without receiving the honor and enjoyed enough success during his earlier years to suggest he was deserving of at least one Pro Bowl nod.

The process for Flacco's selection wasn't perfect. But he'll get a chance to bask in the spotlight one more time before the end of his lengthy career -- even if it took one of his weaker campaigns to do so.

Joe Flacco Pro Bowl voting

Flacco is a lovable figure amongst NFL fans. That wasn't bore out in Pro Bowl fan voting, though. Flacco didn't place among the top 10 quarterbacks in fan voting.

Final top 10 by position in fan voting. pic.twitter.com/6KCyp0Rbre

That list accounts for the top 10 vote-getters among all quarterbacks regardless of conference. It's entirely possible that Flacco ranked within the top 10 vote-getters in the AFC. Still, that would place him some way down the ranks in terms of a potential AFC Pro Bowl depth chart. He'll join Justin Herbert and Shedeur Sanders in the competition. Jaguars star Trevor Lawrence was named a Pro Bowl alternate but either was not selected to join the roster or, more likely, turned down the opportunity to participate in the flag football festivities in San Francisco.

MORE: Why Shedeur Sanders was selected to 2026 Pro Bowl

Who did Joe Flacco replace?

Flacco is replacing Bills quarterback Josh Allen, who pulled out of the Pro Bowl for the fourth time in as many selections. He was seen wearing a walking boot during new head coach Joe Brady's introductory press conference, having underwent surgery to address a broken bone in his foot he suffered during Buffalo's Week 16 win over the Browns.

Allen is expected to be back in action by May's OTAs, according to Bills general manager Brandon Beane.

MORE: What to know about Josh Allen's foot injury

Pro Bowl rosters 2026

AFC

*Will not play due to Super Bowl berth

**Declined to participate due to injury

NFC

*Will not play due to Super Bowl berth

**Declined to participate due to injury