The NFL announced this Tuesday, December 23, 2025, the initial roster for the 2026 Pro Bowl Games. The Denver Broncos tied with three other teams for the most selections, with six players chosen. Among them, Zach Allen, Garett Bolles and Quinn Meinerz receive the honor for the first time in their careers.
Those selected include defensive lineman Zach Allen, tackle Garett Bolles, outside linebacker Nik Bonitto, guard Quinn Meinerz, cornerback Pat Surtain II and wide receiver Courtland Sutton. Four of them – Bolles, Bonitto, Meinerz and Surtain – were named starters of the event. Pro Bowl Games will take place in the week of Super Bowl LX, in the São Francisco Bay region, in Estados Unidos.
This is the highest number of Broncos on the starting roster since the 2014 season. The vote brought together the opinions of players, coaches and fans. The Denver team received the second most fan votes among all franchises in the league.
- Zach Allen recorded 6.5 sacks and 43 quarterback hits in 2025.
- Garett Bolles has allowed no sacks this season.
- Nik Bonitto has 12.5 sacks, ranking fifth in the NFL.
- Quinn Meinerz allows the second-lowest pressure rate among AFC guards.
- Pat Surtain II earns fourth consecutive selection.
- Courtland Sutton is closing in on another season with over 1,000 receiving yards.
Individual highlights of those selected
Zach Allen earns his first Pro Bowl selection after a solid season on the defensive line. Ele joins JJ Watt as one of the few players since 2006 to record at least 40 quarterback hits in consecutive seasons. Allen is the first Broncos interior defensive lineman to make the Pro Bowl since Trevor Pryce in 2002.
Garett Bolles, in his ninth season, finally receives recognition as a starter. The left tackle has the best pass blocking rating among NFL tackles, according to Pro Football Focus, allowing no sacks in 15 games. It is the first appointment for a Broncos offensive tackle since Ryan Clady in 2014.
Quinn Meinerz also debuts at the event as a starter. According to NextGen Stats, the guard allows the second-lowest rate of pressure on the quarterback among AFC guards. Meinerz is the first Broncos guard selected since Louis Vasquez in 2013.
Performances by the group’s veterans
Pat Surtain II secures fourth consecutive selection as starter. Ele ranks among franchise legends like Steve Atwater and Von Miller, being one of the few to reach four Pro Bowls in the first five years of his career after the AFL-NFL merger. Surtain is the third cornerback in Broncos history with four consecutive nominations, joining Champ Bailey and Aqib Talib.
Nik Bonitto repeats the dose for the second consecutive year, once again as a starter. With 12.5 sacks in 2025, he ranks fifth in the league in that statistic. Bonitto is the first Broncos outside linebacker with consecutive selections since Von Miller.
Courtland Sutton returns to the Pro Bowl for the second time in his career, now on the starting roster. The wide receiver is on his way to his second consecutive season with more than 1,000 yards and needs 12 receptions to match his personal best. Sutton is the fifth receiver in franchise history with multiple selections.
Team selection context
Denver Broncos splits the six teams evenly between offense and defense, with three players on each side. The franchise records three Pro Bowl rookies, the most since 2014. Além Additionally, 15 Broncos players were in the top 10 in fan voting by position.
The team tied with the Baltimore Ravens, San Francisco 49ers and Seattle Seahawks for the lead in nominations. The 2026 event occurs for the first time during Super Bowl week, in São Francisco Bay. The telecast will take place on February 3, on ESPN and other channels.
Voting process and event details
The selection results from votes divided equally between players, coaches and fans. Broncos received strong popular support, placing second overall in fan votes. Essa’s performances reflect the team’s good momentum in the 2025 season, with their best start in more than a decade.
Pro Bowl Games include skills competitions and a flag football game. The change to Super Bowl week aims for greater integration with the NFL’s main event. The selected Jogadores serve as captains of their respective teams in the final rounds of the regular season.
Numbers that explain the choices
Some data highlights the performance of those selected in 2025:
- Zach Allen: 6.5 sacks and back-to-backs with at least 40 QB hits.
- Garett Bolles: Zero sacks allowed and best pass-blocking rating between tackles.
- Nik Bonitto: 12.5 sacks, fifth in the NFL and second straight double-digit year.
- Quinn Meinerz: Second lowest pressure rating in the AFC among guards.
- Courtland Sutton: Close to 1,000 yards and seven receiving touchdowns.
These numbers contribute to the Broncos’ balance on the AFC roster.
Recent history of franchising
Since 2016, the Broncos haven’t had this many starting selections. Last year, six players were chosen, but some as substitutes. The current roster marks a major return for the franchise, with players from multiple units represented. The 2026 event promises to bring together the championship’s major stars in a revamped format.
