The Cleveland Browns are sending Myles Garrett and Denzel Ward to the 2025 NFL Pro Bowl. Both were among the best at their position this season and are very deserving of this honor.
But, the day after the Championships in the AFC and NFC, NFL insider Jordan Schultz revealed that Shedeur Sanders was being named to the Pro Bowl as an alternate.
The announcement is a stunning one, as Sanders didn't have a Pro Bowl-caliber season. But what makes this selection even more stunning is that Sanders now has more Pro Bowls than Joe Flacco, making the Browns' rookie more "elite" than the "elite dragon" himself.
Shedeur Sanders' Pro Bowl nod makes Browns rookie more 'elite' than Joe Flacco
Flacco has been jokily referred to as the "Elite Dragon" in years past, referencing his Super Bowl win with the Baltimore Ravens and his declaration that he's an elite QB.
It's been an NFL inside joke since then, and over a decade later, it's still referenced when talking about Flacco.
But now, it's taking on a new meaning. Flacco is self-proclaimed an "elite" QB, and yet, he's not once made a Pro Bowl in his NFL career.
The Super Bowl MVP, who has played in the NFL for 18 seasons, has not once made the Pro Bowl. Not as a starter, an alternate, or even a substitute like Sanders.
He hasn't put up exceptional numbers in his career, including during his prime with the Ravens. But, for such a long and impressive career, not getting a single Pro Bowl nod is surprising.
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And with Sanders earning a Pro Bowl in his first season, despite having a lackluster rookie year, the Browns' rookie can now claim he's better than an "elite" quarterback.
Sanders finished 2025 with 1,400 passing yards, seven touchdowns, and a 3-4 record. But, he completed just 56.6% of his passes, threw 10 interceptions, and had a QBR of 18.9 to go with his 23 sacks taken.
While Sanders' rookie year could be built upon, it wasn't good enough to be deserving of a Pro Bowl nod.
But, in the wake of this decision from the NFL to name Sanders to the Pro Bowl, he now has more Pro Bowl nods than Flacco, who began the season with the Browns before he was dealt to the Cincinnati Bengals.
Shedeur Sanders can now claim to be "elite" as he's now earned an honor that Flacco, the "Elite Dragon," has not once earned in his illustrious NFL career.
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