NFL World Reacts to Gardner Minshew’s Surprise Selection As Pro Bowl Alternate

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Gardner Minshew was named to the 2024 Pro Bowl Games as an alternate on Tuesday, leaving NFL fans conflicted about the news.

For some who buy in to the “Minshew Magic” the quarterback brings, they were excited to see the quarterback get this accolade after he stepped up this season when starter Anthony Richardson got hurt. For other fans, they questioned why Minshew deserves the honor over other accomplished quarterbacks in the AFC, like Josh Allen of the Buffalo Bills.

It’s worth noting that NFL players can turn down a Pro Bowl bid due to a prior engagement or because of injury. In Allen’s case, it appears that he has a tee time at the Pebble Beach Pro-Am already booked for Pro Bowl weekend, which could explain his absence in Orlando.

Minshew started in 13 games in 2023, but appeared in all 17, going 7–6 during his starts. He completed 62.2% of his passes for 3,305 yards, 15 touchdowns and nine interceptions.

Minshew is presumably replacing Kansas City Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes in the games since he’ll be playing in Super Bowl LVIII. Still, some fans believed there were other AFC quarterbacks that could’ve taken Mahomes’s spot.

Here’s a look at the mixed responses to Minshew earning his first Pro Bowl nod, which contains a lot of surprise.