Why isn't Matthew Stafford playing in the Pro Bowl?

For any Los Angeles Rams fans who might want to watch the Pro Bowl to see Matthew Stafford, you won't have much luck. The Rams quarterback pulled out of the Pro Bowl earlier this week and will be replaced by Geno Smith of the Seahawks, according to Michael-Shawn Dugar of The Athletic.

Matthew Stafford won't participate in the Pro Bowl.

While no one knows for sure why Stafford won't be playing in the Pro Bowl, it could be assumed that he's hoping to avoid further injury by not partaking in the event. Stafford was banged up throughout the entire 2022 season, which caused the Rams to have a Super Bowl hangover, and even though he was healthier in 2023, he suffered a thumb injury early in the season.

It's also possible that Stafford thinks the Pro Bowl is silly and doesn't want to waste his time participating in it. A lot of the big name quarterbacks who have been in the league for years and make it to the Pro Bowl opt out because they likely don't think it's worth their time.

It could also be a combination of the two things. Stafford has been named a Pro Bowler just one other time in his career (2014 with the Lions) so he hasn't been a constant presence in the Pro Bowl but winning a Super Bowl has put him in the upper echelons of NFL quarterbacks so it's not surprising to see him not want to take part in the Pro Bowl.