Congratulations to the Kansas City Chiefs five Pro Bowl players: CB Marcus Peters, S Eric Berry, LB Justin Houston, LB Tamba Hali and TE Travis Kelce.
Notice whose name I did NOT list there: LB Derrick Johnson. That's called a Pro Bowl snub. Find the full Pro Bowl roster here.
DJ made the Pro Bowl in each of his last three full seasons (2011-2013). He tore his Achilles last year and missed all but one half of one game last season. Now that he is back is looks like he did before the injury, even leading the team in tackles (100).
These are your inside linebacker Pro Bowlers: Navorro Bowman, Luke Kuechly, Clay Matthews, Bobby Wagner.
How in the crap can anyone justify Clay Matthews to the Pro-Bowl from his ILB spot?
— Sam Monson (@PFF_Sam) December 23, 2015
Three of the writers that cover the Chiefs the closest say DJ is a snub this year.
Really, really surprised #Chiefs LB Derrick Johnson wasn’t named to Pro Bowl. He’s having monster year, leads team w/ 100 tackles (81 solo).
— Herbie Teope (@HerbieTeope) December 23, 2015
Most obvious Pro Bowl snub for Chiefs is Derrick Johnson. He deserved to make it.
— Adam Teicher (@adamteicher) December 23, 2015
Derrick Johnson is certainly a Pro Bowl snub. Johnson is having an awesome season (100 tackles, 4 sacks and 8 TFL).
— Terez A. Paylor (@TerezPaylor) December 23, 2015
They're not wrong. Neither is Pro Football Focus who rates DJ as their second best inside linebacker this year.
Derrick Johnson trails only Luke Kuechly among ILB grades coming off a torn achilles. Has 51 defensive stops on the year. #ProBowlSnubs
— Pro Football Focus (@PFF) December 23, 2015
DJ has been a great story this year. He's in a contract year and he's playing like he merits another good contract. The Chiefs should strongly consider bringing him back - Pro Bowl nod or not.