Foxborough, Massachusetts – NFL legend Tom Brady unexpectedly spoke out to criticize the NFL after cornerback–returner Marcus Jones of the New England Patriots was left off the 2025 Pro Bowl roster, despite posting a résumé that very few returners in league history have matched. Jones finished the season with two punt return touchdowns and a pick-six—plays that directly changed games—yet still did not receive the honor.
According to Brady, the issue is not about who was selected, but about the evaluation criteria that continue to undervalue players who make real, game-altering impacts. “When a player scores via special teams and on defense in the same season, you can’t call that ordinary,” Brady said. “Those plays don’t always show up in traditional box scores, but they win games. And the Pro Bowl should recognize players who win games.” The comments spread quickly, igniting anger across Patriots Nation.
Marcus Jones is not merely a returner. His two punt return touchdowns came at pivotal moments, directly flipping momentum, while his pick-six underscored a rare, all-around defensive impact for a special teams player. Historically, only a handful of NFL players in returner roles have managed to score both on punt returns and interceptions in the same season—yet that achievement went unreflected in this year’s Pro Bowl selections.
The snub further enraged Patriots fans given the team’s outstanding season and the perception that New England continues to be undervalued in individual awards. Across social media, radio shows, and forums, supporters questioned whether the Pro Bowl now favors reputation and familiar positions over tangible impact on winning. Brady didn’t say that outright, but his message was clear: “If you only look at snap counts or name recognition, you miss the players who create the biggest differences.”
