Jaguars LS Ross Matiscik named All-Pro, was Josh Allen snubbed?

Long Snapper Ross Matiscik ended a streak of Jacksonville Jaguars players not making the All-Pro team when he earned the designation in 2024. He's the first Jaguar to earn a selection since 2017, when defensive end Calais Campbell and cornerback Jalen Ramsey got the nod. That said, you could argue that outside linebacker Josh Allen had a strong case to get the nod but was ultimately snubbed.

Myles Garrett (Cleveland Browns), and T.J. Watt (Pittsburgh Steelers) were named First-Team while Micah Parsons (Dallas Cowboys) and Maxx Crosby (Las Vegas Raiders) made the Second-Team. All things considered, all were worthy of the accolade. In fact, Garrett is the frontrunner for the Defensive Player of the Year Award. Even though the Browns have lost several key players to injury this season, they've managed to stay afloat and even made the playoffs. Garrett is a big reason why.

Watt, for his part, was his dominant self in 2023, racking up 19 sacks. Meanwhile, Crosby was the sole playmaker in the Raiders' defense. Parsons, on the other hand, didn't have as many sacks (14) as Josh Allen (17.5). He didn't make as many splash plays as his Jacksonville counterpart either, with Allen registering one interception, and two forced fumbles.

You could make the case that Parsons benefited from name recognition and playing for a team in a bigger market. That said, Pro Football Focus didn't include Allen in their All-Pro teams while Garrett, Watt, Crosby, and Parsons all made the cut. Heck, PFF even included Nick Bosa. Although their grades aren't the only way to measure a player's success or lack thereof, all edge rushers who made the All-Pro (except Crosby) had higher scores than Allen.

When you take everything into consideration, it was surely hard to omit Allen but who would you have removed? All the edge rushers who got the nod had as much impact, if not more, for their respective teams as Allen.

Ross Matisick making the All-Pro team is a silver lining for the Jaguars

While Josh Allen's omission from the All-Pro team stings, there are several silver linings, including Ross Matiscik earning a designation. For one, both Allen and Matiscik were selected to the Pro Bowl. Although Trevor Lawrence and Jamal Agnew made it last year, they did so as alternates. 2024 marked the first time the Jaguars had players make the Pro Bowl since 2019, that's a long time in football terms.

Also, tight end Evan Engram and cornerback Darious Williams were snubbed from Pro Bowl consideration but the Jaguars are making strides in the right direction. It had been a while before they had gotten any recognition at all. The fact that Allen and Matiscik made the Pro Bowl in a year in which Jacksonville fell short of expectations is encouraging.

The Jacksonville Jaguars would surely love to be in the playoffs right now. They'll have to wait until next season to have a shot. For the time being, they should most definitely feel good about their players getting individual recognition.

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