Many Vikings players are having career years, and many will be going to the Pro Bowl Games on Feb. 2 in Orlando.
Unless they’re preparing for the Super Bowl in New Orleans on Feb. 9.
Quarterback Sam Darnold, receiver Justin Jefferson, outside linebackers Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel, cornerback Byron Murphy Jr., and long snapper Andrew DePaola were voted onto the initial NFC roster.
Jefferson, Greenard, Van Ginkel, Murphy and DePaola were voted as starters for the conference. Darnold is listed as a backup behind Lions quarterback Jared Goff ahead of Sunday’s matchup between the two for the No. 1 seed and NFC North division title. Only the Ravens (9) and Lions (7) had more selections than the Vikings.
This is the first all-star nod for Darnold, who has thrown for a career-high 4,153 yards, 35 touchdowns and 12 interceptions, including 18 touchdowns to two interceptions over the last seven games. Van Ginkel, who has a team-high and career-high 11.5 sacks and two interceptions returned for touchdowns, is also going for the first time, as are Greenard (11 sacks) and Murphy (six interceptions).
Jefferson is headed to his fourth Pro Bowl in five NFL seasons. He ranks second with 1,479 receiving yards — trailing only a former LSU teammate in the Bengals’ Ja’Marr Chase (1,612) — and he ranks seventh with 100 catches through 16 games. DePaola, the veteran long snapper, made his third straight all-star game despite missing four games due to a hand injury.
The conferences will be coached by Peyton and Eli Manning in a flag football game on Sunday, Feb. 2 at Camping World Stadium in Orlando. The game will be broadcasted on ABC and ESPN. There will also be a skills competition aired the night of Thursday, Jan. 30 on ESPN. The events will include dodgeball, tug-of-war, and a punting competition.
Seven other Vikings players were named alternates: fullback C.J. Ham (first alternate), safety Josh Metellus (third), center Garrett Bradbury (third), tight end T.J. Hockenson (fourth), right tackle Brian O’Neill (fourth), specialist Trent Sherfield Sr. (fourth), and defensive tackle Harrison Phillips (sixth).
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