The 2025 AP All-Pro Team: A Celebration of Excellence
The Associated Press has unveiled its 2025 NFL All-Pro Team, a testament to the pinnacle of football prowess. This year's selection showcases the league's brightest stars, with unanimous choices like Myles Garrett, Puka Nacua, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba, and a close battle for the quarterback position between Matthew Stafford and Drake Maye. But here's where it gets interesting: Stafford, a 37-year-old veteran, emerged victorious, earning All-Pro honors for the first time in his illustrious 17-year career.
Stafford's achievement is all the more remarkable considering his recent surgery to repair a torn ACL, which will keep him out of the playoffs. His performance this season was nothing short of exceptional, leading the NFL in passing yards (4,707) and touchdowns (46), and boasting a stellar passer rating of 109.2, just behind Maye's 113.5. This triumph marks Stafford as the second player in NFL history to be named a first-team All-Pro in his 17th season or later, following in the footsteps of kicker Gary Anderson, who achieved the same feat in 1998.
The team's edge rusher trio of Garrett, Will Anderson Jr., and Micah Parsons, along with the interior defensive linemen Jeffery Simmons and Zach Allen, form a formidable defensive unit. The offensive lineup features a diverse array of talent, including running back Bijan Robinson, wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase, and tight end Trey McBride, who received 49 of 50 first-place votes. Christian McCaffrey and San Francisco fullback Kyle Juszczyk also earned their spots.
The Denver Broncos dominated the AFC, boasting four first-team players and two second-team selections, including quarterback Josh Allen, left tackle Garrett Boles, left guard Quinn Meinerz, and special teamer Devon Key. The Eagles' Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean, along with Houston's Derek Stingley Jr., made their mark in their second seasons. The Chiefs' Creed Humphrey, Bears' Joe Thuney, and Lions' Penei Sewell were repeat selections, solidifying their status as consistent performers.
The safeties are represented by Baltimore's Kyle Hamilton and Chicago's Kevin Byard, while Detroit's Jack Campbell and Miami's Jordyn Brooks take on the linebacker roles. The special teams saw a notable presence from first-timers, including five players on special teams, such as the Vikings' Will Reichard, Ravens' Jordan Stout, Bills' Ray Davis, and Titans' Chimere Dike, who became the fourth rookie since 2020 to make the team.
The voting process, conducted by the AP for the fourth year, involved a sophisticated system where voters selected a first team and a second team. First-team votes were worth 3 points, while second-team votes were worth 1 point. The tabulation of votes was handled by the accounting firm of Lutz and Carr, ensuring a fair and transparent selection process.
This year's All-Pro team is a testament to the depth of talent in the NFL, with 18 players making their first appearance, including the aforementioned special teamers. The AP Pro Football team, led by Josh Dubow, has once again delivered an exceptional selection, highlighting the league's best players and providing a platform for fans to celebrate the sport's excellence.
