Unanimous Selections Garrett, Nacua, and Smith-Njigba Highlight 2025 NFL All-Pro Team
January 10, 2026
News & Politics

Unanimous Selections Garrett, Nacua, and Smith-Njigba Highlight 2025 NFL All-Pro Team

Stafford Claims First-Time All-Pro Honors After 17 Seasons as the NFL Recognizes Top Performers

Summary

The 2025 NFL All-Pro Team unveiled standout players including unanimous selections such as Myles Garrett, Puka Nacua, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford earned his first All-Pro nod in his 17th season, edging out Drake Maye. The team features strong representation from leading franchises like the Denver Broncos and highlights emerging talents and veterans alike across all positions.

Key Points

Unanimous All-Pro selections include Myles Garrett, Puka Nacua, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba, highlighting their exceptional performances.
Matthew Stafford secured his first All-Pro designation after 17 NFL seasons, leading in passing yards and touchdowns for the year.
Top franchises like the Denver Broncos feature prominently with multiple All-Pro players, indicating strong team performances across the league.
The selection of NFL elite players for the 2025 Associated Press All-Pro Team showcases a blend of established stars and breakthrough performers, with several unanimous choices reflecting exceptional impacts during the season.

Edge rusher Myles Garrett, wide receiver Puka Nacua, and wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba were each unanimously selected by voters, underlining their dominance at their respective positions. The running back spot was secured by Bijan Robinson, while Christian McCaffrey earned recognition as the top all-purpose player. Completing the wide receiver lineup, Ja’Marr Chase was named the third receiver, and tight end Trey McBride was a near-unanimous choice, receiving 49 out of 50 first-place votes.

In the defensive front, Will Anderson Jr. and Micah Parsons joined Garrett as the leading edge rushers. Along the interior line, Jeffery Simmons and Zach Allen earned honors. Parsons, recovering from ACL surgery and currently sidelined for the postseason, expressed the significance of the recognition, emphasizing his motivation to return to peak form.

Among quarterbacks, Matthew Stafford garnered the majority of first-place votes, 31 compared to Drake Maye’s 18, securing All-Pro status for the first time in his extensive 17-year career. Josh Allen received the remaining vote. Stafford led the league with 4,707 passing yards and totaled 46 touchdowns, while his passer rating of 109.2 was slightly behind Maye’s 113.5. Maye finished the season with 4,394 yards and 31 touchdowns.

Reflecting on the accolade, Stafford conveyed surprise and gratitude, acknowledging the respect he holds for the sport and fellow quarterbacks.

Stafford’s achievement is historically notable; he is only the second NFL player ever to attain first-time first-team All-Pro honor so late in their career, with kicker Gary Anderson being the other, achieving this in his 17th season back in 1998. Before Stafford, the record for the longest wait for a quarterback to reach first-team All-Pro was held by Fran Tarkenton, who earned it in his 15th season.

The Denver Broncos, who secured the AFC’s top seed, feature prominently with four first-team selections and two second-team members. Their first-team honorees include left tackle Garrett Boles, left guard Quinn Meinerz, special teams standout Devon Key, and quarterback Josh Allen. Cornerback Patrick Surtain II, the reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year, and safety Talanoa Hufanga made the second team.

Promising young talent also emerged, with Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Quinyon Mitchell and slot cornerback Cooper DeJean earning roster spots early in their careers. Houston’s Derek Stingley Jr., leading cornerback voting with 41 first-place votes, further emphasizes the influx of skill at defensive back.

Consistency is evident with repeat selections including Chiefs center Creed Humphrey, Bears left guard Joe Thuney, Lions right tackle Penei Sewell, and Quinn Meinerz.

Garrett’s record-breaking 23 sacks this season secured his fifth All-Pro recognition, while Parsons continued his prominence with his third first-team and past second-team honors. Anderson acknowledged the honor as a collective achievement, crediting his teammates for their support.

Safeties Kyle Hamilton (Baltimore) and Kevin Byard (Chicago), along with linebackers Jack Campbell (Detroit) and Jordyn Brooks (Miami), complete the defensive backbone. San Francisco’s fullback Kyle Juszczyk adds to the offensive lineup.

The list includes 18 players honored for the first time, highlighting the dynamic nature of the league and special teams’ importance. Newcomers such as Vikings kicker Will Reichard, Ravens punter Jordan Stout, Bills kick returner Ray Davis, and rookie Titans punt returner Chimere Dike made significant impressions. Long snapper Ross Matiscik of the Jaguars was selected for the second time.

Dike, one of four rookies since 2020 to earn All-Pro status, expressed gratitude and recognized the pivotal role of coaching and teammates in achieving his goal.

The AP utilizes a voting system that distinguishes between first and second teams, assigning three points for first-team votes and one point for second-team votes. The independent accounting firm Lutz and Carr tabulated the results.

This comprehensive roster reflects varied strengths across franchises and positions, underscoring individual excellence within the collaborative efforts essential to NFL success.
Risks
  • Injuries continue to impact player availability and performance, exemplified by Micah Parsons’ ACL surgery, influencing team defensive capabilities and player career trajectories.
  • Competition for All-Pro honors remains intense, with veteran players facing challenges from emerging talents, affecting player marketability and contract negotiations.
  • The accuracy and fairness of voting systems and the associated subjectivity may introduce variability in honors, with implications for player branding and endorsement opportunities.
Disclosure
This article is based on the facts and data as provided by official NFL and Associated Press announcements and does not contain any speculative content or personal opinions of the author.
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