Tagovailoa, Purdy selected to 1st Pro Bowl as starting QBs
By ROB MAADDI
The Associated Press
Brock Purdy and Tua Tagovailoa were selected to their first Pro Bowl as the starting quarterbacks for their respective conferences.
It’s the first time the two starting QBs are first-time picks since the 1999 season when Pro Football Hall of Famers Peyton Manning and Kurt Warner were chosen.
Purdy was one of nine players picked from the San Francisco 49ers, who clinched the NFC’s No. 1 seed. He was joined by edge rusher Nick Bosa, defensive tackle Javon Hargrave, fullback Kyle Juszczyk, tight end George Kittle, running back Christian McCaffrey, cornerback Charvarius Ward, linebacker Fred Warner and tackle Trent Williams.
The 49ers (13-3) had the most players selected. Baltimore (13-3) and Dallas (11-5) each have seven Pro Bowl players.
Quarterback Lamar Jackson, safety Kyle Hamilton, center Tyler Linderbaum, defensive tackle Justin Madubuike, linebackers Patrick Queen and Roquan Smith and kicker Justin Tucker were picked from the Ravens, who secured the AFC’s No. 1 seed with a 56-19 rout of Tagovailoa and the Miami Dolphins last weekend.
Quarterback Dak Prescott, punter Bryan Anger, kicker Brandon Aubrey, cornerback DaRon Bland, wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, guard Zack Martin and edge rusher Micah Parsons were selected from the Cowboys, who can clinch the NFC East title with a win on Sunday.
Other NFC first-year selections besides Purdy include Rams rookie receiver Puka Nacua, Lions rookie tight end Sam LaPorta, Eagles running back D’Andre Swift, Rams running back Kyren Williams, Lions edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson, Bears edge Montez Sweat, Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson, Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon, Falcons safety Jessie Bates, Seahawks safety Julian Love, Ward, Bland, Aubrey, Saints return specialist Rashid Shaheed and Lions special teamer Jalen Reeves-Maybin.
Other AFC first-year selections besides Tagovailoa include Browns tight end David Njoku, Dolphins running back Raheem Mostert, Bills running back James Cook, Dolphins fullback Alec Ingold, Ravens center Tyler Linderbaum, Madubuike, Queen, Hamilton, Broncos return specialist Marvin Mims, Steelers special teamer Miles Killebrew, Jaguars long snapper Ross Matiscik.
Patrick Mahomes is the AFC’s third QB while Matthew Stafford is the NFC’s third QB. Trent Williams is heading to his 11th Pro Bowl, most among the players chosen. Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald was picked for a 10th time. Martin, Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce and Seahawks linebacker Bobby Wagner are nine-time Pro Bowl picks. Juszczyk and Dolphins receiver Tyreek Hill are going for the eighth time.
Twenty-eight teams had at least one player selected and 21 clubs had multiple players chosen.
Player selections were determined by the consensus votes of fans, players and coaches, with each group’s vote counting as one-third toward determining final rosters.
The Pro Bowl is returning to Orlando for the first time in three years. This will be the second year for the Pro Bowl Games featuring a multiday AFC versus NFC competition that includes Pro Bowl Skills and culminating in a flag football game. Peyton and Eli Manning will again serve as the head coaches.
• 2024 PRO BOWL ROSTERS
Sunday, Feb. 4 at Orlando, Fla.
x-starter
AFC
Offense–Quarterbacks: x-Tua Tagovailoa, Miami; Lamar Jackson, Baltimore; Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City. Tight ends: x-Travis Kelce, Kansas City; David Njoku, Cleveland. Wide receivers: x-Tyreek Hill, Miami; x-Amari Cooper, Cleveland; Keenan Alen Los Angeles; Ja’Marr Chase, Cincinnati. Tackles: x-Laremy Tunsil, Houston; x-Dion Dawkins, Buffalo; Terron Armstead, Miami. Guards: x-Quenton Nelson, Indianapolis; x-Joel Bitonio, San Francisco; Joe Thuney, Kansas City. Centers: x-Creed Humphrey, Kansas City; Tyler Linderbaum, Baltimore. Running backs: x-Raheem Mostert, Miami; James Cook, Buffalo; Derrick Henry, Tennessee. Fullback: x-Alec Ingold, Miami.
Defense–Defensive ends: x-Myles Garrett, Cleveland; x-Maxx Crosby, Las Vegas; Trey Hendrickson, Cincinnati. Interior lineman: x-Chris Jones, Kanas City; x-Quinnen Williams, New York; Justin Madubuike, Baltimore. Outside linebackers: x-T.J. Watt, Pittsburgh; x-Khalil Mack, LA Chargers; Josh Allen, Jacksonville. Inside/middle linebackers: x-Roquan Smith, Baltimore; Patrick Queen, Baltimore Cornerbacks: x-Pat Surtain II, Denver; x-Sauce Gardner, NY Jets; Jaylon Ramsay, Miami; Denzel Ward, Cleveland. Free safety: x-Justin Simmons, Denver; Minkah Fitzpatrick, Pittsburgh. Strong safeties: x-Kyle Hamilton, Baltimore.
Specialists–Placekicker: Justin Tucker, Baltimore. Long snapper: Ross Matiscik, Jacksonville. Punter: AJ Cole, Las Vegas. Return specialist: Marvin Mims Jr., Denver. Special teamer: Miles Killebres, Pittsburgh.
NFC
Offense–Quarterbacks: x-Brock Purdy, San Francisco; Dak Prescott, Dallas; Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles. Tight ends: x-George Kittle, San Francisco; Sam LaPorta, Detroit. Wide receivers: x-CeeDee Lamb, Dallas; x-A.J. Brown, Philadelphia; Mike Evans, Tampa Bay; Puka Nacua, Los Angeles. Tackles: x-Trent Williams, San Francisco; x-Lane Johnson, Philadelphia; Penei Sewell, Detroit. Guards: x-Zack Martin, Dallas; x-Chris Lindstrom, Atlanta; Landon Dickerson, Philadelphia. Centers: x-Jason Kelce, Philadelphia; Frank Ragnow, Detroit. Running backs: x-Christian McCaffrey, San Francisco; x-D’Andre Swift, Philadelphia; Kyren Williams, Los Angeles. Fullback: x-Kyle Juszczyk, San Francisco.
Defense–Defensive ends: x-Nick Bosa, San Francisco; x-Montez Sweat, Chicago; Aidan Hutchinson, Detroit. Interior lineman: x-Aaron Donald, LA Rams; x-Dexter Lawrence, New York; Javon Hargrave, San Francisco. Outside linebackers: x-Micah Parsons, Dallas; x-Danielle Hunter, Minnesota; Haason Reddick, Philadelphia. Inside/middle linebackers: x-Fred Warner, San Francisco; Bobby Wagner, Seattle. Cornerbacks: x-DaRon Bland, Dallas; x-Charvarius Ward, San Francisco; Jaylon Johnson, Chicago; Devon Witherspoon, Seatle. Free safety: x-Jessie Bates, Atlanta. Strong safeties: x-Budda Baker, Arizona; Juluis Love, Seattle.
Specialists–Placekicker: Brandon Aubrey, Dallas. Long snapper: Andrew DePaola, Minnesota. Punter: Brian Anger, Dallas. Return specialist: Rashid Shaheed, New Orleans. Special teamer: Jalen Reeves-Maybin, Detroit.