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Pro Bowl Games: Who Is Leading the Way?
Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images

Alright, let’s talk about the Pro Bowl. Yes, that glorious, sun-soaked exhibition game where tackling is optional, and the vibes are immaculate. While the game itself has transformed into a flag football spectacle and skills competition, getting that nod of recognition is still a pretty big deal. It’s the ultimate popularity contest, a sign that the fans, players, and coaches see you as one of the best in the business. And right now, the early Pro Bowl results for the 2026 Pro Bowl Games are in, and there are some genuine shockers.

Leading the pack isn’t some grizzled veteran or a flashy, headline-grabbing superstar. Nope. It’s New England Patriots Quarterback Drake Maye, pulling in a whopping 31,452 votes. Let that sink in. The second-year QB is not just winning games; he’s winning the hearts of fans across the country. It is a testament to his strong season and the Patriots’ shocking turnaround.

The Quarterback Conundrum: Youth vs. Experience In Pro Bowl Voting

What makes Maye’s lead so fascinating is who he’s beating. Right behind him in the QB race is Matthew Stafford, the 37-year-old gunslinger who’s seemingly found the fountain of youth in Los Angeles. Stafford is having a career year, slinging it for 32 touchdowns and looking like a prime MVP candidate. Yet, the fans are flocking to the fresh face in Foxborough.

Maye’s been a revelation, completing an insane 71% of his passes and leading the Pats to a 10-2 record. It is the kind of story that even Hollywood screenwriters would find a little too unbelievable. From a 4-13 disaster to a legitimate contender in one season? You can thank the combination of Maye’s arm and new Head Coach Mike Vrabel’s no-nonsense attitude.

Don’t Forget the Playmakers

It’s not just about the quarterbacks, though. Seattle’s Jaxon Smith-Njigba is sitting pretty as the second-highest vote-getter overall with 27,162 votes. The dude has been electric, already setting the Seahawks’ single-season receiving yards record. It’s wild to think he’s just getting started.

And let’s give some love to the guys in the trenches. Running backs are making a statement, with Jonathan Taylor, Jahmyr Gibbs, and Christian McCaffrey all cracking the top ten. These guys are the workhorses, the human highlight reels who can break a game open on any given play. Taylor’s been a touchdown machine, McCaffrey is racking up yards from scrimmage like it’s a video game, and Gibbs remains one of the most explosive players in the league.

But here’s the real head-scratcher: Myles Garrett. The man is on pace to shatter the single-season sack record with 19 sacks already, and he’s only eighth in Pro Bowl voting? What more does a guy have to do? The man is a walking, talking quarterback nightmare and deserves to be higher on this list. Maybe he needs a better publicist.

Fan voting continues until December 15. But for now, Maye is the king of the Pro Bowl castle. Will he still be there when the dust settles? We’ll have to wait and see.

This article first appeared on Total Apex Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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