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

The Colts quarterback started in 13 games this past season.

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.

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Colts QB Gardner Minshew added to the Pro Bowl

(I had to read the email twice, believe me)

— Zak Keefer (@zkeefer) January 30, 2024

Pro Bowl Quarterback Gardner Minshew. We dreamed of days like this pic.twitter.com/rEYTGthWbO

— Alex Mueller (@AlexMueller23) January 30, 2024

Shane Steichen made Gardner Minshew a Pro Bowler. The man truly is a miracle worker

— Zach Hicks (@ZachHicks2) January 30, 2024

Gardner Minshew is a Pro Bowl QB
Josh Allen is not a Pro Bowl QB

I do not understand how that is possible https://t.co/VHBNWUOjUX

— Geoff Schwartz (@geoffschwartz) January 30, 2024

Gardner Minshew is a Pro Bowler?

— Clarence Hill Jr (@clarencehilljr) January 30, 2024

bro this now mean Tyler Huntley and Gardner Minshew have same amount Pro Bowls than JOE BURROW 😭😭😭😭 just abolish the whole thing atp https://t.co/LRxJV6uSOi

— 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘯 (@justinbtw_) January 30, 2024

Two years in a row that a career backup has been named a Pro Bowler because of injuries/lack of interest. Pro Bowl selections mean next to nothing these days https://t.co/VTvSHwfGWv

— Christian Esparza (@CEsparzaSports) January 30, 2024

Gardner Minshew is now one Pro Bowl appearance behind tying Matthew Stafford’s career mark.

Food for thought.

— Nate Atkins (@NateAtkins_) January 30, 2024

We live in a world where Gardner Minshew and Tyler Huntley are Pro Bowl quarterbacks and I’m not sure how to feel about that

— Jacob Infante (@jacobinfante24) January 30, 2024