Being overlooked for an award or honor can often motivate NFL players to elevate their game, pushing them to new heights on the field. However, sometimes it just leaves people puzzled.
That was the case with Denver Broncos defensive end Zach Allen, who was excluded from the AFC Pro Bowl roster despite a strong season. Allen wasn’t among the top three defensive ends selected, with Cleveland’s Myles Garrett, Cincinnati’s Trey Hendrickson, and Las Vegas’ Maxx Crosby taking the spots. Crosby, in particular, raised eyebrows as he played only 12 games in 2024 and recorded his lowest sack total (7.0) since 2020.
NFL.com’s Kevin Patra ranked Allen No. 3 on his list of the top Pro Bowl snubs, noting Allen’s impressive statistics. He led all interior defensive linemen with 65 quarterback pressures, the ninth-most in the league. Despite being double-teamed, Allen’s 14 pressures tied for the fourth-most in the NFL. With 8.5 sacks, he ranked third among interior defensive linemen. Patra emphasized that Allen’s pressure on the quarterback had been a game-changer, keying the Broncos’ defense.
Despite Allen’s snub, three of his teammates earned Pro Bowl selections: cornerback Patrick Surtain II, linebacker Nik Bonitto, and return specialist Marvin Mims Jr.
The Broncos, currently 9-7, can secure their first playoff berth since 2015 with a win over the Kansas City Chiefs in their regular-season finale.
Allen’s $47.75 million, three-year contract signed in March 2023 has already paid off. Since joining the Broncos, Allen has quietly been one of the league’s best defensive players. In his first season with Denver, he recorded 60 tackles, 5.0 sacks, 8 tackles for loss, and 24 quarterback hits, making him one of the few bright spots in an otherwise disappointing 2023 season for the Broncos.
Before coming to Denver, Allen was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in 2019 after earning All-ACC honors at Boston College. Although a neck injury cut his 2019 rookie season short, he had a career year in 2022, posting 47 tackles, 5.5 sacks, 10 tackles for loss, and 20 QB hits in just 13 games. There, he also developed under the mentorship of future Hall of Famer J.J. Watt.
As a veteran with proven success, Allen has helped anchor one of the NFL’s toughest defenses in 2024, alongside stars like Surtain and rising talents like Bonitto.
