The Belly isn’t going to Orlando, of his own choice.
Quinn Meinerz, the Denver Broncos‘ first-alternate guard, was set to be added to the AFC’s Pro Bowl roster this week as a replacement player, but he “respectfully declined,” according to KUSA-TV’s Mike Klis. This will presumably still count as a Pro Bowl nod on Mienerz’s resume even though he is not set to participate in the all-star festivities.
The Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Championship game on Sunday, so guards Joe Thuney and Trey Smith have dropped out of the all-star game to focus on preparing for Super Bowl LIX. Meinerz was first in line to be added to the Pro Bowl as a first-alternate guard, but he turned it down.
Meinerz (6-3, 320 pounds) received the third-best grade (87.8) among guards from Pro Football Focus in 2024. He was also named a first-team All-Pro.
Source on #Broncos guard Quinn Meinerz declining invitation to replace either Kansas City guard Joe Thuney or Chiefs guard Trey Smith in Pro Bowl Games: “He doesn’t want to be a replacement.”
— Chris Tomasson (@christomasson) January 27, 2025
Meinerz would have joined cornerback Pat Surtain, pass rusher Nik Bonitto and returner Marvin Mims as Denver’s four representatives at the Pro Bowl. The AFC squad will be coached by Peyton Manning in skills competitions on Thursday, Jan. 30 and a flag football game on Sunday, Feb. 2.
The skills competitions will be televised on ESPN and the flag football game will be televised on both ESPN and ABC.
