On Tuesday, the NFL announced selections for this year’s Pro Bowl Games, where two players from the Patriots (12-3) were listed as members of the AFC team:
- Quarterback Drake Maye
- Cornerback Christian Gonzalez
Maye’s selection should come as no surprise to anyone who has watched him play this season, as the 23-year-old quarterback is No. 2 in MVP odds heading into Week 17 after orchestrating an 11-point fourth quarter comeback on Sunday in Baltimore (7-8) to beat the Ravens 28-24.
This marks a second consecutive appearance in the Pro Bowl for Maye, who was added to the roster as an alternate last season after Josh Allen opted out of the flag football event. He ranks first in the league in completion percentage (70.9%) and QBR (73.4), third in passer rating (108.5), fourth in passing yards (3,947) and passing yards per game (263.1), fifth in completions (321) and tied for fifth in touchdown passes (25).
Per the Patriots on Maye:
“With his selection, Maye becomes just the fourth quarterback in NFL history to begin his career with multiple consecutive Pro Bowl invitations, joining Andrew Luck (three straight), Russell Wilson (four straight) and Dan Marino (five straight). He also joins Patriots Hall of Famers Mike Haynes (five straight) and Curtis Martin (two straight) as the only players in franchise history to open their Patriots careers with at least two Pro Bowl selections.”
In his third season, this will be the first time Gonzalez has cracked the Pro Bowl roster, even with the 23-year-old being selected as a 2024 All-Pro during his second season. And to be quite honest, that should tell you everything you need to know about the NFL’s version of the All-Star game.
While Gonzalez told the press late last season that the Pro Bowl was not something he was focused on in any way (clip below), it’s still a nice honor for a player who has been among the best at his position since being drafted in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft - Bill Belichick’s final first round pick as head coach in New England.
Per the Patriots on Gonzalez:
“In 2025, Gonzalez has started all 12 games in which he has appeared, recording 61 total tackles, 10 passes defensed, and consistently matching up against opponents’ top receiving threats. His production has been a key factor in New England fielding the seventh-ranked defense in the NFL, ranking among the league leaders in passing efficiency allowed.”
Maybe most notable from Tuesday’s announcements of Pro Bowl selections was the snub of punt return ace Marcus Jones.
On top of playing stellar nickel corner for New England all season long, he’s been elite in the return game - a position he was already named an All-Pro at as a rookie in 2022. He’s already accounted for 2 punt return touchdowns through 16 games, and is routinely a factor in the field position battle when teams regretfully decide to punt the ball to him. His ability to be a playmaker in this phase of the game has made it where teams no longer want to challenge the 5-foot-8 speedster out of Houston.
Selected over Jones was Titans wide receiver/return man Chimere Dike, who also has 2 return touchdowns in 2025 and leads the NFL with 18.2 yards per punt return. Jones is second in that category at 17.3.
Have to imagine Jones will be in the mix as an alternate at both returner and cornerback, as he was named AFC Defensive Player of the Month in October.
Tune in each and every Monday throughout the football season to Patriots Monday on WEEI. Head coach Mike Vrabel joins The Greg Hill Show at 6:30 a.m. ET, and quarterback Drake Maye joins WEEI Afternoons.