Smith: Dolphins Pro Bowl snub 'a slap in the face'
Dolphins tight end Jonnu Smith expressed frustration after Miami had no players on the 2025 Pro Bowl roster.
"I thought I did. My first time ever being recognized for a respectful honor," Smith said Thursday after being asked if he thought he'd earn a Pro Bowl berth this year, according to Joe Schad of the Palm Beach Post.
The NFL announced its 2025 Pro Bowl rosters Thursday, and the Dolphins, New York Jets, New Orleans Saints, and Tennessee Titans are the only teams without a player on the lists. However, they could still have a Pro Bowler as an alternate.
It's the first time no Dolphins player has been selected to the Pro Bowl since the 2019 season. Six players represented Miami last year.
"That was kind of a slap in the face," Smith said of the Dolphins' Pro Bowl snub. "I felt like a few guys were deserving, for sure. At the end of the day, we play this game to win championships. Pro Bowls, that's extra that comes with it."
He added: "We'll laugh about it for a few minutes or so, but we've got work to do this weekend."
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— Jonnu Smith (@Easymoney_81) January 2, 2025
Three standout Dolphins players who were Pro Bowlers last year - quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, receiver Tyreek Hill, and running back Raheem Mostert - have battled injuries this season.
Smith was arguably the Dolphins player with the strongest argument to make the Pro Bowl this season after setting career highs in receptions, yards, and touchdown catches in 16 games. He ranked second among AFC tight ends in yards and TDs.
Here's how Smith's 2024 season stacks up against Brock Bowers and Travis Kelce, the TEs representing the AFC this year.
| TE | Team | Rec | Yds | TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bowers | LV | 108 | 1144 | 4 |
| Kelce | KC | 97 | 823 | 3 |
| Smith | MIA | 79 | 828 | 7 |
Baltimore Ravens tight end Mark Andrews leads all tight ends with 10 touchdown receptions but was also left off the final Pro Bowl rosters.
The 8-8 Dolphins play the Jets in the regular-season finale and have a chance of making the playoffs. Miami is currently the AFC's 8-seed and will take the No. 7 seed if it beats New York and the Denver Broncos lose to the Kansas City Chiefs, who will rest their main players this weekend.