Sometimes, being overlooked for an award or recognition can become a powerful source of motivation for NFL players, pushing them to reach even greater heights on the field. However, in other cases, it simply leaves people puzzled.
Such was the case with Denver Broncos defensive end Zach Allen, who was excluded from the AFC Pro Bowl roster despite being a standout performer at his position. Allen was passed over in favor of Cleveland Browns’ Myles Garrett, Cincinnati Bengals‘ Trey Hendrickson, and Las Vegas Raiders‘ Maxx Crosby, who had a lower sack total than usual (7.0 sacks) after playing only 12 games in 2024.
Kevin Patra of NFL.com listed Allen as the No. 3 Pro Bowl snub, highlighting his impressive performance. “Pressure equals production—unless you’re voting for the Pro Bowl,” Patra remarked. He praised Allen for being a consistent disruptive force, leading all interior defensive linemen with 65 quarterback pressures (ninth overall among defenders). Despite being double-teamed, Allen recorded 14 QB pressures, tied for fourth most in the NFL, and sits third in sacks among all interior defensive linemen with 8.5.
While Allen missed out on the Pro Bowl, three of his teammates—cornerback Patrick Surtain II, outside linebacker Nik Bonitto, and return specialist Marvin Mims Jr.—earned spots. The Broncos are currently 9-7 and have a chance to secure their first playoff berth since 2015 with a victory over the Kansas City Chiefs in the Week 18 finale.
Allen’s impact has been significant since the Broncos signed him to a 3-year, $47.75 million contract in March 2023. He has consistently been one of the NFL’s top players at his position. In his first season in Denver (2023), Allen started all 17 games and recorded 60 tackles, 5 sacks, 8 tackles for loss, and 24 QB hits. Despite the team’s disappointing 8-9 record that year, Allen was one of the few bright spots. With veterans like him, Surtain, and rising stars like Bonitto and cornerback Riley Moss, the Broncos now boast one of the league’s toughest defensive units.
Allen Quietly Worked His Way Toward NFL Stardom
After earning All-ACC honors at Boston College in 2018, Zach Allen was selected by the Arizona Cardinals in the third round (No. 65 overall) of the 2019 NFL Draft.
As a rookie, Allen quickly became a starter for the Cardinals, though a neck injury in Week 4 ended his season prematurely. He had the best year of his career in 2022, the final season of his four-year, $4.75 million rookie contract, posting 47 tackles, 5.5 sacks, 10 tackles for loss, and 20 QB hits in just 13 games.
During his time in Arizona, Allen also found a valuable mentor in defensive end J.J. Watt, a three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year.
“I can really only speak highly about (Watt),” Allen said to NFL.com after signing with the Broncos in 2023. “I think I was able to learn from him, obviously, and I’m very fortunate for that… We had great on-field and off-field chemistry, and I’m still picking his brain for ideas.”
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