Why is Shedeur Sanders in the Pro Bowl? Browns rookie QB added as replacement with Drake Maye in Super Bowl 60

The NFL's Pro Bowl is not what it used to be, but it is still a chance for the best players in the league to show off their skills.

This year, though, Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders was named as a late and surprising addition to the event. Sanders is coming off a tough rookie season, but still showed enough to potentially enter the 2026 season as the Browns starting quarterback.

Still, Sanders had his fair share of rough moments in 2025, so making the Pro Bowl certainly didn't seem to be in his future. Instead, Sanders will participate in the event with AFC representatives like Josh Allen and Justin Herbert.

Here's a breakdown of why Sanders made the Pro Bowl.

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Why is Shedeur Sanders in the Pro Bowl?

Shedeur Sanders made the 2025 Pro Bowl as a replacement for New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye, who is too busy preparing for the Super Bowl. Even though Sanders was not named as an original alternate for the AFC, all of the alternates were either injured or declined participation.

A few of the AFC quarterbacks like Patrick Mahomes, Daniel Jones and Bo Nix are all recovering from season-ending injuries, making them ineligible as replacements. Additionally, while Trevor Lawrence was also a logical replacement, ESPN reports that Lawrence chose not to participate in the Super Bowl. 

With Josh Allen and Justin Herbert already named to the roster, that left around nine names eligible for the final quarterback spot in the AFC. Sanders was essentially chosen over names like C.J. Stroud, Tua Tagovailoa, Geno Smith and Cam Ward for the Pro Bowl appearance.

MORE: Why Shedeur Sanders made the Pro Bowl

Shedeur Sanders 2025 stats

• Games: 8
• Record: 3-4
• Completion percentage: 56.6%
• Passing yards: 1,400
• Passing touchdowns: 7
• Interceptions: 10
• Passer rating: 68.1
• Rushing yards: 169
• Rushing touchdowns: 1

Sanders took over as the Browns' starting quarterback in November, and finished the season in that role for Cleveland. Sanders led the Browns to a 3-4 record, while the team was 1-9 with other starting quarterbacks during the season, but Sanders' numbers were pretty pedestrian. The rookie quarterback averaged 175 passing yards per game and finished the season with more turnovers than touchdowns.

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AFC Pro Bowl quarterbacks

*Not participating*