The Lead

The 2025 Pro Bowl Games rosters were revealed on Thursday, and although defensive lineman Zach Allen is having the best year of his career, the sixth-year player did not make the cut.

Writers from NFL.com and ESPN believe that shouldn't have been the case, as Allen made both outlets' list of the top snubs from the Pro Bowl rosters.

Kevin Patra of NFL.com compiled a list of 10 players who were left off the rosters to "highlight those men who have had outstanding years and might have just missed the cut." Allen — who Patra described as a "backfield menace this season" — was No. 3 on the list.

"When an interior player is getting the kind of push Allen has provided this season, he wrecks games," Patra wrote. "The pocket-pusher has keyed Vance Joseph's defense, eating up blockers and still producing."

Added ESPN’s Seth Walder: "Volume-wise, he's been even more impressive, ranking second in pass rush wins (51) among qualifying defensive tackles to go along with his 8.5 sacks. That's due in part to Allen's playing time, which is another reason he should have made it. He was on the field 90% of the time in games he played, the highest among win rate-qualifying defensive tackles and much higher than other high performers, who might not even crack 70%."

Allen has recorded a career-high 8.5 sacks this season, which ranks third in sacks among all interior defensive linemen. His 3.5 sacks in Denver's Week 17 game vs. the Bengals marked the first multi-game sack of his career, and the performance made him one of just three players this season with at least 3.5 sacks in a single game.

"His athleticism, his energy [and] his passion," Head Coach Sean Payton said Wednesday of what stood out about Allen's performance in Week 17.

Allen also leads all interior defensive lineman with 65 quarterback pressures this season, and his 14 quarterback pressures when double-teamed are tied for fourth-most in the NFL.

"Beyond the numbers, Allen has helped propel the Broncos into playoff contention on the strength of their defense," Patra wrote.

ESPN also made a case for guard Quinn Meinerz — who was named a first alternate — to make the AFC roster, though Walder stopped short of calling him a snub.

"I'd have had Meinerz in, but you can understand how he ended up on the outside looking in, as there's stiff competition at guard in the AFC," Walder wrote. "Meinerz ranks third in pass block win rate (96%) despite a lower than average double-team rate, and has been a key piece for a Broncos offensive line that ranks first in pass block win rate overall."