Buffalo Rumblings
Dion Dawkins will enjoy the Florida weather with some of his teammates
The Buffalo Bills are sending two more players to the 2025 NFL Pro Bowl Games in Central Florida this coming weekend. It’s the third year for the new format celebrating many of the league’s premiere players.
Running back James Cook and center Connor McGovern head to the Games as alternates, joining quarterback Josh Allen (since declined) and left tackle Dion Dawkins on the AFC roster. This will be Cook’s second appearance at the Games.
Cook’s second inclusion comes on the heels of a season where he ran for 1,009 yards, caught 32 passes for 258 yards, and shared the NFL lead in rushing touchdowns with 16. Cook was named to his first Pro Bowl following a 2023 NFL season where he gained 1,122 rushing yards and 448 receiving yards and six total touchdowns.
For McGovern, this will be his first trip to the Pro Bowl. In his first season as Buffalo’s anchor on the offensive line, McGovern held his own and then some in communicating protections and securely managing the snap to Allen. Additionally, McGovern’s NFL experience at Guard played a key role in his continued ability as a downfield blocker for Allen, Cook, and the rest of the team’s rushers.
Cook replaces Derrick Henry, while McGovern replaces Creed Humphrey.
As noted above, Josh Allen will not attend the Pro Bowl Games. That’s been the case in prior seasons — but there could be more to that than an expected golf itinerary.
Following the team’s loss at Arrowhead Stadium, Allen shared that “he suffered a right hand and wrist injury on the two-point conversion attempt” prior to halftime, per a tweet by Built in Buffalo. While it’s unlikely the injury will require an invasive procedure, Built in Buffalo did point out that “Allen’s right hand was visibly swollen during the second half.”
That alone could be enough to keep him away from the Pro Bowl and off the links for a bit longer in the offseason.
In Allen’s place, New England Patriots rookie quarterback Drake Maye now joins the AFC Pro Bowl roster. Maye is the Patriots’ second-consecutive rookie quarterback to be named to the Games, with Mac Jones last earning the honor following a 2021 rookie campaign.
Dawkins, Cook, and McGovern will take part in the 2025 NFL Pro Bowl Games skills challenges and flag football game. The Pro Bowl Skills Show will broadcast live on ESPN Thursday, January 30, from 7 p.m. EST to 8:30 p.m. EST. The week-long event culminates with a flag football game, broadcast live on ESPN from 3 p.m. EST to 6 p.m. EST Sunday, February 2.
