The NFL reimagined the Pro Bowl more than two years ago when it converted the event from a standard football game into a series of skills competitions and flag football contests, but not every player is willing to go along with it.
The AFC saw two quarterbacks drop out of the Pro Bowl days before the event, requiring two replacements. One replacement is Steelers QB Russell Wilson, who is heading to the Pro Bowl for the ninth time and first time since 2021 despite missing the first six games of the season.
Wilson took the Steelers to the playoffs, picking up key wins over the Ravens, Commanders and Bengals along the way, but Pittsburgh lost its last five games including a wild-card round loss in Baltimore.
Here’s what you need to know about why Wilson was selected to the Pro Bowl.
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Why is Russell Wilson in the Pro Bowl
Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen both took themselves out of the Pro Bowl after crushing playoff losses, opening up two spots filled by Wilson and Patriots QB Drake Maye.
With Joe Burrow in the Pro Bowl, Jackson and Allen out and Patrick Mahomes headed to the Super Bowl, options were limited for replacements.
One would have to think some quarterbacks turned down the opportunity, however. Justin Herbert, Bo Nix and potentially even Tua Tagovailoa and Aaron Rodgers might have made more sense than Wilson and Maye, but if Allen and Jackson weren’t willing to participate, even more quarterbacks are likely unwilling to change their schedules at the last minute.
It was reported Tuesday that Nix turned down an invitation to undergo a “minor procedure.”
Wilson had a fine year for the Steelers despite missing the first six games with a calf injury, going 6-5 with 2,482 yards, 16 touchdowns and five interceptions, but his passer rating was lower than it was in 2023 when he did not receive a Pro Bowl bid.
Russell Wilson stats 2024
| Starts | Record | Comp. rate | Yards | TD | INT | Passer rating |
| 11 | 6-5 | 63.7% | 2,482 | 16 | 5 | 95.6 |
Wilson completed 63.7 percent of passes for 2,482 yards, 16 touchdowns and five interceptions in 2024, starting 6-1 before losing his last four regular season starts and a wild-card round game against the Ravens.
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AFC Pro Bowl quarterbacks
| QB | Team |
| Josh Allen* | Bills |
| Joe Burrow | Bengals |
| Lamar Jackson* | Ravens |
| Drake Maye | Patriots |
| Russell Wilson | Steelers |
* – Not participating
Allen, Burrow and Jackson were initially named to the Pro Bowl, with Mahomes falling short behind three players who could make up the top-four MVP vote-getters. Because Mahomes is Super Bowl-bound again, he was not an option to replace Allen or Jackson.
At this point, Burrow, Maye and Wilson are set to represent the AFC at the Pro Bowl Games. Jared Goff, Sam Darnold and Baker Mayfield will represent the NFC, with Mayfield replacing Jayden Daniels.
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