NFL Pro Bowl Games will cost one deserving Chiefs player millions while it sets another up for a massive payday
Over the years, the Pro Bowl has become an afterthought for NFL fans. Even with the competition devolving into a shadow of what it once was, the Pro Bowl Games are considered an intricate part of how NFL players build value for themselves and get paid. Never mind what the Pro Bowl historically means for […]
Over the years, the Pro Bowl has become an afterthought for NFL fans. Even with the competition devolving into a shadow of what it once was, the Pro Bowl Games are considered an intricate part of how NFL players build value for themselves and get paid. Never mind what the Pro Bowl historically means for a player's legacy when it comes to things like the Pro Football Hall of Fame. When a player gets snubbed in the consensus votes of fans, players, and coaches, it has real financial ramifications that can cost players millions of dollars.
FOX Sports NFL Insider Jordan Schultz took to X (formerly Twitter) to rant about how the Pro Bowl impacted Chiefs CB Trent McDuffie's wallet.
People consider the Pro Bowl a joke, and that's fine. But the Pro Bowl affects players' pockets, and that's where it's unfortunate when a player gets snubbed. For example, Trent McDuffie has never been selected to the Pro Bowl on the original ballot, so his fifth-year option is about $12.7M. If he had made one Pro Bowl, it would be $17.1M. If he had made two, it would be over $20M. It's unfortunate for the players who are deserving.
Former first-round draft picks who are selected to Pro Bowls on the original ballot in their first three seasons in the NFL will see an increase in their fifth-year option amounts. The first Pro Bowl selection increase for McDuffie would amount to the CB transition tag amount ($17.1M in 2024), and the second Pro Bowl selection increase would be to the CB franchise tag amount for the upcoming year ($20.3M in 2024). McDuffie has now twice been selected to the Pro Bowl Games as an alternate, which means he'll miss out on what'll likely end up over $8 million come his fifth-year option season in 2026.
McDuffie, of course, was named a First-Team All-Pro in 2023. He's putting together a better statistical season this year by recording 59 total tackles, six tackles for loss, one sack, one fumble recovery, two interceptions, and a career single-season high of 13 passes defended.
This probably isn't the worst news for a Chiefs team that will become increasingly salary cap-strapped as it tries to retain talent from its tremendous 2021 and 2022 draft classes. If they choose the fifth-year option, it will make McDuffie more affordable. In all likelihood, they'll have to negotiate a long-term contract with McDuffie beforehand anyway. Still, this isn't so much about the team as it is about a talented NFL player getting the money he deserves.
Pro Bowl selection sets up Chiefs RG Trey Smith for a massive payday
As a former Day 3 draft pick, Smith won't be subject to any fifth-year option boosts. He also won't qualify for any proven performance escalators because he made the Pro Bowl in the final year of his rookie contract. That's where his Pro Bowl selection is going to come into play. Not only is he far and away the best interior offensive lineman in free agency this year, but his accolades are deserving of a market-resetting deal.
Look at Panther RG Robert Hunt, for example. He earned a five-year contract worth $100 million with over $60 million guaranteed at the onset of the 2024 free agency period. He didn't have any accolades going for him, yet they shelled out that contract. Smith (currently) has two Super Bowl rings and a Pro Bowl selection to go along with it. He'll likely exceed Falcons RG Chris Lindstrom's record-setting deal.
Smith already gets some extra pay should he attend the 2025 Pro Bowl Games. Players for the winning conference should receive over $90K, while teams for the losing conference receive over $45K for just participating. The actual financial gain is going to come when the bidding war ensues in March.
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