There may not be any former Pitt stars on the initial Pro Bowl teams, but that could change before the event itself is held.
The 2025 Pro Bowl is set for the weekend of Jan. 31 — with the skills show on Thursday, Jan. 30 and the games on Sunday, Feb. 2. There is no actual game anymore, but it’s still an honor to be named a Pro Bowler.
Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin and Minnesota Vikings offensive tackle Brian O’Neill weren’t named to the initial rosters, but both have a chance to wind up on the roster as Pro Bowl alternates. As opt-outs and injuries occur, replacements from among the alternates will be elevated. And those in the Super Bowl will also opt out.
Hamlin has never been named to the Pro Bowl, but it’s a continuing testament to his perseverance and determination in the wake of his life-threatening injury in January 2023. He bounced back and earned the Bills starting safety job this summer.
O’Neill earned a Pro Bowl nod in 2021 and has provided a steady presence for the Vikings at right tackle over the last seven seasons.
Damar Hamlin — Buffalo Bills
Stats: 83 tackles (58 solo), two tackles for loss, two interceptions and five pass breakups, 811 defensive snaps
Brian O’Neill — Minnesota Vikings
Stats: 18 pressures, two sacks, 1,031 offensive snaps
Pitt hasn’t had a Pro Bowler since Aaron Donald last year, the last of his 10 consecutive Pro Bowl nods. O’Neill and Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner earned Pro Bowl nods in 2021, and there’s an argument to be made that Conner could’ve at least been an alternate this season.
The Pro Bowl has shrunk in popularity in recent years, with the actual Pro Bowl game being abandoned altogether, but the honor itself is still coveted.
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