While the event itself has certainly lost its luster in previous years, it is still a big honor for NFL players to be named Pro Bowlers. Three Chargers were named Pro Bowl starters on Thursday with nine Bolts tabbed as Pro Bowl alternates.
There were shocking inclusions among the Pro Bowl alternates for the Bolts including Scott Matlock and Bradley Bozeman. Even worse, though, are the surprising players who were completely left off and were not rewarded for their efforts.
The most notable snubs for the Chargers are sophomore linebacker Daiyan Henley and rookie cornerback Tarheeb Still. Both players have done enough this season to earn Pro Bowl nods but alas, it was not in the cards, even as an alternates.
Veteran Chargers safety Tony Jefferson is taking exception with Henley not earning a Pro Bowl nod. Jefferson took to social media after the Pro Bowlers were announced to voice his disdain with the Pro Bowl voting results.
How the hell does Daiyan Henley not make the pro bowl? Even as an alternate … voters clearly aren’t watching tape ❗️a shame.
— Tony Jefferson (@Tljefferson23) January 2, 2025
Tony Jefferson says what every Chargers fan thinks about Daiyan Henley's Pro Bowl snub
We couldn't have said it any better ourselves. How the hell does Daiyan Henley not earn at least a Pro Bowl alternate spot for his efforts this season?
Henley is not a household name, which obviously hurt him at a stacked linebacker position. However, Henley has more than done enough in his first season as a full-time starter for the Chargers to earn his first true accolade in the league.
The 2023 third-round pick leads the Chargers with 142 tackles and has played all 16 games thus far this season. Henley has played 959 snaps this season, which is the 16th most among all linebackers.
Henley has been particularly impressive in pass coverage this season. While not perfect, his development in pass coverage has been a big component of the Chargers' defensive success this season.
Pro Bowl voting has been and always will be flawed. The right players don't always get recognized and there will always be players on every team in the NFL who don't get the honor they deserve. Heck, Tyler Huntley was a Pro Bowler as a backup quarterback not that long ago.
But just because it happens all the time does not make it any less annoying for Henley and Chargers fans. Fans have witnessed a true breakout season in 2024 and it always stings when someone doesn't get what they deserve for their efforts.
It stings, but Henley undoubtedly cares more about the team's success than his own individual accolades. That is what makes him a Pro Bowl-caliber player in the first place.