Lamar Jackson’s shocking 3rd All-Pro pick puts him in legendary QB company

Lamar Jackson has solidified his place in NFL history with his third selection to the Associated Press NFL All-Pro Team. With this recognition, Jackson joins an elite group of quarterbacks who have earned at least three All-Pro nods in the Super Bowl era. Now, he’s hoping that postseason success will follow his regular-season dominance.

Jackson’s journey to the All-Pro Team began with his MVP seasons in 2019 and 2023. However, both of those years ended in early postseason exits for his team, the Baltimore Ravens. Despite the playoff disappointments, Jackson’s All-Pro nominations continue to highlight his exceptional skills and leadership on the field.

Jackson’s All-Pro Legacy

Jackson’s inclusion in the All-Pro team for the third time places him in exclusive company. He is the eighth quarterback in NFL history to be selected as a first-team All-Pro at least three times, joining the ranks of legends such as Peyton Manning, Steve Young, and Joe Montana. Remarkably, all of the other seven quarterbacks with at least three All-Pro selections have also made it to the Super Bowl. Dan Marino stands as the only exception, lacking a Super Bowl title despite his All-Pro accolades.

While Jackson is still seeking his first Super Bowl victory, his journey mirrors that of other iconic quarterbacks. Steve Young won his only Super Bowl in 1994, the same year he earned his third All-Pro selection. Peyton Manning also won his first Super Bowl in 2006 after multiple All-Pro campaigns without a championship. Jackson now looks to follow in their footsteps and turn his regular-season dominance into postseason success.

The Missed Opportunities

Despite a strong regular season, some high-performing teams were shut out of the All-Pro selections. Four playoff teams—Buffalo, Washington, the Rams, and the Chargers—failed to secure a first-team All-Pro pick. Buffalo, which finished the regular season with a 13-3 record, stood out as the most notable omission. In fact, Buffalo’s exclusion from the first team is rare in NFL history. Since the AP began naming All-Pro teams in 1940, only four other teams that won at least 13 games failed to secure a first-team selection.

While the Bills, Chargers, and Rams were left out, Washington made a notable impact with four second-team selections. Despite the snubs, Buffalo, Washington, and others remain focused on future success, as postseason glory remains within reach.

Bobby Wagner’s Consistent Excellence

Bobby Wagner continues to prove that age is no barrier to excellence. The veteran linebacker, now in his 11th season, earned his 11th All-Pro selection, marking his 11th consecutive season being named to either the first or second team. Wagner, who has played for multiple teams over the years, including the Seattle Seahawks and Washington Commanders, shows no signs of slowing down. He joins an elite group of players with 11 All-Pro selections, a list that includes Reggie White, Jerry Rice, and Jim Otto.

Fresh Faces: First-Time All-Pro Selections

As expected, the 2024 All-Pro team introduced several first-time honorees. Among them is Raiders rookie tight end Brock Bowers, who set a record for the most receptions by a rookie at any position with 112 catches. Bowers became just the fourth rookie tight end in history to earn a first-team All-Pro selection, joining the ranks of Jeremy Shockey, Keith Jackson, and Charlie Young.

In addition to Bowers, several other first-timers were named to the prestigious list, including Pittsburgh kicker Chris Boswell, Philadelphia’s Saquon Barkley, and Detroit’s Jack Fox. Other newcomers include Ja’Marr Chase, Trey Hendrickson, and Marlon Humphrey, who all made significant contributions to their teams’ successes throughout the season.

Key Highlights from the 2024 All-Pro Team

The 2024 All-Pro selections featured a strong mix of familiar faces and newcomers. Among the standout selections were:

– Lamar Jackson (QB, Baltimore): Third All-Pro nod and continued excellence.

– Ja’Marr Chase (WR, Cincinnati): An explosive force on the field, earning a first-team selection.

– Brock Bowers (TE, Las Vegas): Rookie sensation breaking records and earning a spot on the first team.

– Saquon Barkley (RB, Philadelphia): Stellar performance, earning a well-deserved place among the league’s top players.

– Bobby Wagner (LB, Washington): Consistency and excellence over 11 years, maintaining his place as one of the NFL’s best.