Jaguars OLB Josh Allen, long snapper Ross Matiscik named to 2024 Pro Bowl Games
Jacksonville Jaguars outside linebacker Josh Allen and long snapper Ross Matiscik were voted to the 2024 Pro Bowl Games, the NFL announced as part of their Pro Bowl roster reveal show Wednesday night.
This marks the second year in a row that the NFL has utilized the "Pro Bowl Games" rather than the classic Pro Bowl game that was played for years in the past.
The event this year consists of skill competitions and non-contact flag football games. The first block of skills competition will take place on Feb. 1 and other events are scheduled for Feb. 4 at Camping World Stadium in Orlando.
Last year, Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence and return specialist/receiver Jamal Agnew made the games.
As a rookie in 2019, Allen made the Pro Bowl as an alternate. This year, he's enjoying the best season of his career, posting 16.5 sacks through 16 games. He's currently second in the league in pressures with 94, according to ESPN.
Allen's 16.5 sacks are the most in a single season in team history. He broke former teammate Calais Campbell's record of 14.5 this past Sunday against the Panthers with a three-sack performance.
He's totaled 61 tackles, 16 tackles for loss and 31 quarterback hits, two forced fumbles and an interception this season.
Currently, Dallas Cowboys pass rusher Micah Parsons leads the league with 98 total pressures and Pittsburgh Steelers pass rusher T.J. Watt and Cincinnati Bengals pass rusher Trey Hendrickson lead the league in sacks with 17.
Since being drafted with the seventh-overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, Allen has quickly become the team's most productive pass rusher. He's accounted for 44 sacks across 73 games played. Allen's 44 sacks are the second-most in a career in team history.
He's totaled 246 tackles, 101 quarterback hits and 52 tackles for loss in his career.
Matiscik, who signed with the Jaguars as an undrafted free agent in 2020, will enjoy his first Pro Bowl Games appearance this year. He signed a five-year, $5.965 contract before the 2022 season.
He has accounted for eight special teams tackles this year, the most in the league among long snappers. He leads all Jaguars in special teams tackles this year ahead of safety Daniel Thomas. In Week 11, Matiscik forced a fumble and recovered it, giving the team momentum to win against the Tennessee Titans.
"The good thing about our guy, Ross (Matiscik), his snaps, to the average person isn’t a big deal, but his ability to snap with velocity, keep the laces away where Logan [Cooke] rarely has to turn them, that’s huge, so that kicker gets to look at that ball without seeing the laces, no spins, just nicely in a good position," Jaguars special teams coordinator Heath Farwell said just before the 2023 season when asked about his long snapper.
"His ability to block, his protection, his ability to move his feet, get in front, his strength, pad level is fantastic. He was our leading tackler in the preseason on special teams, so his ability to go down the field, a former linebacker, to go down and be a factor is something other teams have to be aware of and potentially have to account for him.”
Trevor Lawrence headlines Jaguars Pro Bowl alternates list
While they didn't make it on the initial list, seven other Jaguars could have their names called if other players drop out after being named alternates.
Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence leads the list, being named an alternate for a second-straight year. Return specialist Jamal Agnew also was named as an alternate for a second-straight year. Both players ultimately made the Pro Bowl last year after others dropped out.
Along with Lawrence and Agnew, punter Logan Cooke, tight end Evan Engram, RB Travis Etienne, LB Foye Oluokun and CB Darious Williams were named as alternates, the Jaguars announced Thursday.
Demetrius Harvey is the Jacksonville Jaguars reporter for the Florida Times-Union. You can follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @Demetrius82.
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This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Jaguars Pro Bowlers for 2024: Josh Allen, Ross Matiscik
