NEWSLETTER
The Pro Bowl games kick off later this week, with the Skills Competition taking place at the Raiders training facility in Henderson, Nevada, just outside Las Vegas. With Bills quarterback Josh Allen injured, Ravens quarterback Tyler Huntley will replace him.
Huntley started five games for Baltimore during the 2022 season (four regular season games and one playoff game), filling in for an injured Lamar Jackson. He went 2-3 as the starter.
Huntley, who turns 25 this weekend, threw for 658 yards with two touchdowns, three interceptions, and a 77.2 passer rating. He added 137 rushing yards and one TD.
This was the second straight season where Huntley needed to fill in for an injured Jackson. Last season, Huntley played in seven games with four starts. He threw for 1,081 yards with three touchdown passes, four interceptions, and a 76.6 passer rating. Huntley also rushed for 294 yards and two touchdowns.
I suppose some of me scoffed at the idea of Huntley being selected as an alternate. But, in reality, one of the three AFC quarterbacks is out because he is playing in the Super Bowl, and the other has a UCL injury. So, despite the narrative of some, it’s not like guys are taking a pass on the Pro Bowl. Those are legitimate reasons to miss the event.
That said, the Pro Bowl has struggled to remain a relevant event in recent years, and this selection certainly doesn’t help its legitimacy. But the NFL is experimenting with a revamped format emphasizing individual players. Marketing players over conferences is something that the NBA does very well. The NFL is hoping to have the same results.
As for Allen, the Bills starter is dealing with a sprained UCL that plagued him for the second half of the season. However, Allen said recently that he doesn’t believe surgery will be needed.
“We don’t think an operation is necessary at this time,” Allen said last week. “Rest and recovery are going to be really good for it.”
