Bengals Pro Bowl honors extend as Joe Burrow joins Chase and Higgins

Joe Burrow adds to the Bengals Pro Bowl honors with his selection.

The Bengals Pro Bowl roster now includes Burrow, Chase, and Higgins.

The Bengals Pro Bowl spotlight widened this week as Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow officially joined the AFC roster for the 2026 Pro Bowl Games. This bolsters a hometown representation that already includes standout wideouts Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. 

The announcement was confirmed by multiple outlets including Reuters and the Dayton Daily News. This underscores a rare NFL achievement: having multiple Bengals selected to the league’s all-star showcase ahead of Super Bowl week in San Francisco.  

Despite missing nine games earlier this season due to a toe injury, Burrow’s performance over the final six games was among the league’s best. Thus, his performance prompted his addition to the roster as an alternate. In addition, analysts noted that he led the NFL in completions. He ranked near the top in touchdown passes and passer rating during that stretch.  

Bengals Pro Bowl depth grows with Burrow’s selection

The Bengals Pro Bowl contingent now includes three offensive stars:

• Joe Burrow (QB) — Named to his third career Pro Bowl roster after a comeback run late in the season.  
• Ja’Marr Chase (WR) — A perennial Pro Bowl pick and All-Pro performer. His dominant 2025 campaign contributed to his continued recognition at the league level.  
• Tee Higgins (WR) — Earned his first career Pro Bowl nod after leading the AFC in receiving touchdowns and ranking second in the NFL.  

In addition, backup Joe Flacco — acquired midseason via trade and one of the league’s veteran passers — also made the AFC Pro Bowl roster, marking his first career selection at age 41.  

The strong showing from Cincinnati represents one of the deepest Bengals representations in recent Pro Bowl history. Multiple offensive stars are on the roster, and both starting and backup quarterbacks are honored.  

Burrow’s season, comeback narrative

The story of Burrow’s 2025 season — and his inclusion in the Bengals Pro Bowl group — is a tale of resilience. After missing over half the campaign due to a turf toe injury, Burrow returned in Week 13 and immediately made an impact. Over his final six games, he:

• Led the NFL in completions (152)
• Tied for second in touchdown passes (15)
• Ranked third in passing yards (1,620)
• Ranked fifth in both completion percentage (68.2%) and passer rating (102.2%)  

These late-season metrics helped tip the scales in his favor for Pro Bowl recognition, even as initial fan voting and alternate lists left him on the outside. According to some observers, this selection also sparked conversation about how Pro Bowl voting and alternate selections are weighted. This is especially significant for players who miss games due to injury.  

Historic firsts and NFL context

The Bengals Pro Bowl representation this year features some notable NFL storylines:

• Two Bengals quarterbacks — Burrow and Flacco — on the same Pro Bowl roster is extremely rare and, according to Bengals.com coverage, may be the first occurrence since the early 1950s.  
• Wide receiver duo — Chase and Higgins make this the first season since 2007 that two Bengals receivers have been selected together for the Pro Bowl.  
• Veteran recognition — Flacco’s first Pro Bowl nod at age 41 highlights a late-career resurgence following his midseason trade to Cincinnati.  

NFL fans have also noticed broader league trends, such as quarterback rosters that now include young stars like Shedeur Sanders, underscoring how Pro Bowl rosters can evolve due to injuries and original selectee opt-outs.  

What comes next at the Pro Bowl Games

The 2026 Pro Bowl Games — set for Tuesday, February 3, at the Moscone Center in San Francisco — are more than a single flag football matchup. The event includes:

• Skills competitions featuring top NFL talent
• A flag football game coached by Hall of Famers
• Broader festivities ahead of Super Bowl LX  

Cincinnati fans interested in following the action can find coverage on ESPN and the NFL’s official broadcasts. The coverage features live commentary and commentary on Bengals participants. For depth on the Pro Bowl format and schedule, readers can refer to the NFL’s official event preview or coverage by major sports outlets like ESPN.

Bengals perspectives: Local reactions and analysis

Early local reaction to Burrow’s Pro Bowl nod has been largely positive. Teammates and coaches highlighted his leadership and the symbolic importance of having multiple offensive stars representing the Bengals on the national stage. This is especially meaningful during Pro Bowl week. 

However, some commentary reflects a broader NFL discussion on the relevance of Pro Bowl honors, especially when selections occur after key players miss significant portions of the season.

Critics argue that Pro Bowl selections sometimes reward reputation and popularity as much as performance. Yet for many Bengals fans, the collective Pro Bowl representation remains a point of pride for a team that battled adversity in 2025.