In a forgettable season in which the Patriots are trending toward their worst record in 30 years and Bill Belichick might lose his legendary job, it's not surprising that New England is almost getting shut out of Pro Bowl voting.
It's also fitting that their lone AFC representative might be the punter.
Rookie Bryce Baringer is the only Patriots player to lead his position in fan voting released by the NFL on Wednesday. Voting ends Christmas night for rosters that will be determined by the consensus votes of fans, players and coaches, the latter two of which haven’t yet cast their ballots. Full teams will be announced Jan. 3.
Baringer, a fifth-round draft pick last April, is only ninth in the NFL with an average of 47.1 yards, but he leads the league with 32 kicks downed inside the opponent's 20-yard line. He has boomed eight punts over 60 yards, including kicks of 70 and 79. He had a 64-yarder in last week's loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.
A sign of the 3-11 Patriots' paltry offense: Baringer has 78 punts; the offense only 19 touchdowns.
Last year the Pats also only had one Pro Bowl representative in edge-rusher Matthew Judon. Before 2022, the last time they sent only one player was 2000. During their two-decade dynasty the Pats regularly boasted 8-10 Pro Bowl players.
This season's Pro Bowl Games will be held Feb. 4 in Orlando, Fla.
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