On Wednesday, Quenton Nelson made it an official 6-for-6. The Indianapolis Colts guard has been in the NFL for six seasons and has been selected for the Pro Bowl in all six years. He was announced as one of the guards in the AFC during the NFL’s official announcement of 2024 Pro Bowlers.
Although Nelson was a Pro Bowler in 2022, everyone knew that he didn’t play up to the standard that he had established for himself. Nelson knew as well and that’s why he vowed that he would get back to elite form. He did just that this season, bouncing back and dominating for the Indianapolis Colts.
Nelson returned to being one of the best linemen in the NFL, and the rest of Indy’s line also improved. The group is a big reason why the Colts are 9-7 with a chance to win the AFC South and go to the playoffs. There’s no doubt that Nelson deserved to be a Pro Bowler.
Unfortunately, Nelson is the lone Pro Bowler for the Colts. However, DeForest Buckner, Zaire Franklin, Ryan Kelly, and Michael Pittman Jr. were all named as alternates.
Our 2024 Pro Bowl Alternates: pic.twitter.com/teyhCh6NHN
— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) January 4, 2024
Colts have four 2024 Pro Bowl alternates
All four have been playing great this season and definitely have strong cases to be Pro Bowlers. Zaire Franklin is a player that many people feel was especially snubbed. The linebacker currently leads the NFL with 170 tackles, which is also a new franchise record. Beyond just the numbers, he has played some good football for Indianapolis this season. However, the Baltimore Ravens’ duo of Roquan Smith and Patrick Queen received the nod over Franklin.
Buckner, Kelly, and Pittman all have been consistently productive as well. Buckner currently has the most total tackles he’s ever had in a season with 75 and also has seven sacks. Michael Pittman Jr. is about to complete a career year, entering Week 18 with 104 receptions for 1,108 yards and four touchdowns. There’s no doubt that they had Pro Bowl-worthy seasons, but the reality is that the league has more talented players than Pro Bowl spots, so worthy players will always be left out.