Final Pro Bowl Fan Vote: Which Broncos Are Headed to Orlando?

The roar of the crowd has been quantified. With the conclusion of fan voting for the 2026 Pro Bowl, the Denver Broncos and their passionate fanbase have made their voices heard, propelling several key players to the top of the leaderboards. While the final official tally incorporating player and coach votes is still to come, the fan ballot reveals a fascinating snapshot of national perception and local devotion. From a dominant specialist to a resurgent defense, the Broncos have a legitimate contingent poised for the all-star flag football showcase in Orlando. However, the results also contain a few stunning omissions that highlight the unpredictable nature of the Pro Bowl selection process.

Fan Favorites: Broncos Leading the Charge

Denver’s most consistent performers this season have been rewarded with a groundswell of fan support. The most commanding lead belongs to a player who changes the game one boot at a time. Punter Jeremy Crawshaw didn’t just lead his position; he dominated it, finishing as the number one vote-getter among punters from the first update straight through to the final fan tally. Crawshaw’s combination of booming distance, pinpoint coffin-corner accuracy, and a knack for flipping field position has been a critical, if understated, weapon for the Broncos all season long. His performance is a textbook case of a specialist earning widespread recognition for sheer, game-impacting excellence.

On the defensive side, the fan vote confirms the breakout season of the Broncos’ pass rush. Outside linebacker Nik Bonitto finished second in fan voting at his position, a testament to his explosive first step and career-high sack totals. His relentless pressure has been a catalyst for the entire defense. Similarly, defensive tackle Zach Allen secured a third-place finish among interior linemen. Allen’s ability to disrupt both the run and pass from the heart of the line has not gone unnoticed, proving his free-agent acquisition continues to pay massive dividends.

In the secondary, strong safety Talanoa Hufanga landed in second place, showcasing his reputation as one of the league’s most feared hitters and playmakers in the box. His versatility sets the tone. On offense, the often-unsung hero of the backfield, fullback Adam Prentice, earned a notable third-place finish overall and sits first among AFC fullbacks. In an era where the position has faded, Prentice’s devastating lead blocks and reliable hands have made him a cult favorite and a key cog in the Broncos’ ground attack.

Stunning Snubs: The Curious Case of Surtain and Bolles

If the top-five finishes were expected, the fan vote also delivered two of the most head-scratching results of the entire Pro Bowl cycle. In a development that can only be described as shocking, cornerback Pat Surtain II finished outside the top ten at his position. This for a player widely regarded as a top-three cover man in the NFL, a perennial All-Pro, and the centerpiece of Denver’s defense. Similarly, left tackle Garett Bolles, having perhaps his most consistent and dominant season in pass protection, also failed to crack the top ten among offensive tackles.

How does this happen? Several factors are at play:

• Positional Stacking: Cornerback is perennially one of the most stacked and flashy positions in fan voting, where interception totals often overshadow lockdown coverage that eliminates half the field.
• Team Record Bias: While improved, the Broncos’ overall record may still subconsciously impact casual fan voting on a national scale.
• The “Highlight Reel” Effect: Players who generate weekly highlight plays—especially on offense—tend to draw more fan votes, which can disadvantage elite technicians like Bolles and a corner like Surtain, whom quarterbacks actively avoid.

These snubs, however, are almost certainly a fan-vote phenomenon. They set the stage for a significant correction when the more discerning votes are counted.

The Road to Orlando: Predicting the Final Rosters

The Pro Bowl selection process is a three-part equation: fan vote (weighted 1/3), player vote (1/3), and coach vote (1/3). With the fan portion complete, we can now forecast the likely outcomes for Denver’s contenders.

Near-Locks for Selection: Jeremy Crawshaw’s fan victory makes him an overwhelming favorite to earn his first Pro Bowl nod. Specialists often see alignment across all voting groups, and his season merits it. Nik Bonitto and Zach Allen are also in extremely strong positions. Their high fan placement, combined with the respect they’ve garnered from opposing offensive linemen and coaches throughout the year, likely seals their trips to Orlando.

On the Bubble: Talanoa Hufanga’s second-place fan finish gives him a tremendous boost, but safety is another deeply competitive group. His fate will hinge on how players and coaches rank the league’s top strong safeties. Adam Prentice faces a similar battle, though leading the AFC in fan votes is a powerful argument for the conference-specific roster.

The Pending Corrections: This is where it gets interesting for Pat Surtain II and Garett Bolles. History shows that players and coaches vote far more on technical merit and game-plan respect than popularity. It is almost a certainty that both will rank dramatically higher in these remaining two-thirds of the voting. For Surtain, a top-three finish in both player and coach votes would easily overcome his fan snub and land him on the roster. Bolles faces a steeper climb from outside the top ten, but his peer recognition should see him firmly in the mix for a reserve spot. Do not be surprised if both men are named when the final rosters are announced.

Conclusion: A Testament to Depth and Disrespect

The final 2026 Pro Bowl fan voting update for the Broncos tells a dual story. First, it is a testament to the developing depth and star power on this roster. Having five players ranked in the top three at their positions—including a potential league-leading punter and emerging defensive stars—signals a team building a core of legitimate, recognized talent. The fan support for players like Bonitto, Allen, and Prentice reflects a season where contributions have come from every level of the roster.

Yet, the simultaneous oversight of two of the team’s bona fide elite players serves as a powerful motivator. The presumed “snub” of Surtain and Bolles in the fan vote is less a slight and more a quirk of the process, one that will likely be rectified. It underscores that while fan passion is incredible, the ultimate respect in the NFL comes from the peers who line up across from you each Sunday. As the Broncos continue their push, this blend of recognition for some and perceived disrespect for others only fuels the collective fire. When the full Pro Bowl roster is unveiled, expect the Orange and Blue to be well-represented, with a few surprise additions proving that the experts always get the final say.

Source: Based on news from Yahoo Sports.