4 Vikings Snubbed from Pro Bowl

Dustin Baker |

Jan 2, 2025

Dec 16, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings offensive tackle Brian O'Neill (75) celebrates running back Cam Akers (27) touchdown against the Chicago Bears in the fourth quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images.

The NFL announced Pro Bowl participants on Thursday, two days before the start of Week 18.

4 Vikings Snubbed from Pro Bowl

The Vikings, a club with a 14-2 record, employ six of those fortunate players. You can read about those players here.

Conversely, four others received the snub treatment, and these are those men listed in ascending order (No. 1 top snub).

4. Camryn Bynum (S)

Minnesota safety Camryn Bynum (24) catches an interception to effectively end the game during the fourth quarter of an NFL football matchup Sunday, Nov. 10, 2024 at Everbank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. The Vikings defeated the Jaguars 12-7. © Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images.

Bynum made the snub list for one primary reason: he didn’t even get alternate treatment. The man wasn’t even remotely close to the Pro Bowl.

The fourth-year Vikings safety is accountable for a 64.1 Pro Football Focus grade, which isn’t otherworldly, but Bynum, at the very least, should be on the alternate list.

No cigar.

He’s been targeted 49 times by opposing quarterbacks, and those passers have a 73.8 passer rating against him.

3. Josh Metellus (S)

Dec 22, 2024; Seattle, Washington, USA; Minnesota safety J. Metellus (44) poses for a photo following a Seattle Seahawks turnover during the fourth quarter at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images.

Metellus, on the other hand, is the third alternate at his safety position and has a coinflip’s chance of earning the Pro Bowl honor when players drop out of the game(s) in the next month.

The veteran defender is one of the most versatile players in the NFL, and that should always be considered when evaluating his merits.

Metellus owns a 68.8 PFF mark through 17 games and leads all safeties in quarterback pressures.

2. Blake Cashman (LB)

Dec 22, 2024; Seattle, Washington, USA; Minnesota linebacker B. Cashman (51) reacts to a snap against the Seattle Seahawks during the fourth quarter at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images.

The Vikings are undefeated with Cashman in the lineup, and some argue he’s the ultimate special sauce in Brian Flores’ defense.

Minnesota went 1-2 without Cashman in the lineup a couple of months ago; his presence is vital. In fact, he may have missed the Pro Bowl cut because he missed three games, which feels a bit unfair.

Cashman ranks third in sacks (4.5) and fourth in quarterback pressures (24) among all off-ball linebackers.

He, like Bynum, earned no love on the alternate list.

1. Brian O’Neill (RT)

snub — Sep 14, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Minnesota offensive tackle Brian O’Neill (75) blocks against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

O’Neill has held down his side of the Vikings’ offensive line for seven seasons. He became even more vital when left tackle Christian Darrisaw tore his ACL in Week 8.

His 81.0 PFF score is more than enough to get Pro Bowl recognition, but men like Lane Johnson, Tristan Wirfs, and Penei Sewell are just too good to exclude.

He’s the fourth alternate among NFC offensive tackles.

Also Read:
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Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The show features guests, analysis, and opinion on all things related to the purple team, with 4-7 episodes per week. His MIN obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band). He follows the NBA as closely as the NFL.

All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.