Pro Bowl 2018: Alex Smith named Philip Rivers replacement

The Pro Bowl powers-that-be finally made right with the snub of Alex Smith by naming him as Philip Rivers replacement in the NFL’s all-star exhibition.

One of the single biggest snubs from this year’s original Pro Bowl announcement has been rectified with the news that Alex Smith has been named to the 2018 all-star exhibition in place of L.A. Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers.

Smith was somehow ignored on the first go-around despite being mentioned as an MVP favorite for the first third of the season and was mentioned in the general MVP conversation for over the first half of the year. The Kansas City Chiefs quarterback finished the year with one of the best overall statistical years in the league for any quarterback and Smith himself set several personal high marks.

For the first time in his career, Smith crossed the 4,000-yard mark with 4,024 passing yards. He also had 26 touchdowns and only 5 interceptions, showing the strong decision-making skills he’s always been known for while also expanding his repertoire to include a much better downfield passing game than years past.

This will be Smith’s third Pro Bowl appearance and his second in a row. All three Pro Bowl noms have come in his five season tenure with the Chiefs, including his first season in 2013.

The former first overall selection in the NFL Draft is potentially available this offseason for teams to consider trading for, depending on the Chiefs financial reality and how strongly they feel that second-year quarterback Patrick Mahomes is ready to play.