Jared Goff, the quarterback for the Detroit Lions, turned down the opportunity to play in his second straight Pro Bowl for unspecified reasons. Jalen Reeves-Maybin, a member of the special team, has also decided not to go to the Orlando games.
The NFL revealed the 2024 Pro Bowl replacements on Tuesday. Pro Bowl players who will participate in the Super Bowl—five from the Chiefs and nine from the 49ers—had to be replaced after a number of them turned down their original invitations. That made it possible for two more Detroit Lions to be selected for the Pro Bowl, as we previously discussed. Jahmyr Gibbs and Amon-Ra St. Brown are currently members of the team.
Two more Lions players, though, will not be traveling to Orlando, Florida. According to Mike Dugar of The Athletic, Jalen Reeves-Maybin, who was on the original team, has reportedly withdrawn from the All-Star Weekend. Nick Bellore of the Seahawks, a former member of the Lions special team, took his place.
UPDATE: Frank Ragnow, the center for the Lions, has also withdrawn from the Pro Bowl. This is hardly surprising, given that Ragnow was battling problems to his knee, back, toe, and ankle. Erik McCoy, the center for the Saints, will take his spot.
Furthermore, it seems like Jared Goff declined an opportunity to play in the Pro Bowl. Although Goff was first listed as a backup quarterback, the top three quarterbacks in the league according to Pro Bowl voting—Matthew Stafford, Dak Prescott, and Brock Purdy—are all unable to attend for various reasons.
The NFC’s three new quarterbacks—Jalen Hurts, Baker Mayfield, and Geno Smith—will attend the Pro Bowl; the reason for Goff’s rejection is unknown.
Thus, even though the Lions had eight players eligible, it looks like just five of them will be attending the games in Orlando. The following is a list of attendees:
- RB Jahmyr Gibbs
- WR Amon-Ra St. Brown
- TE Sam LaPorta
- OT Penei Sewell
- C Frank Ragnow
- EDGE Aidan Hutchinson
