The National Football League has faced criticism over the years due to the Pro Bowl and its selection process. Each year there are players who put up statistics that are eye-opening and contribute to their team on a high level but are snubbed from the event.

Antoine Winfield Jr.’s performance this season for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers has been remarkable, showcasing his potential to become a top-tier NFL safety.

Following in the footsteps of his father, Antonine Winfield Sr., the former first-round Buffalo Bills cornerback and three-time Pro Bowl selection for the Minnesota Vikings (2008-2010), Winfield Jr. has demonstrated similar skills that may put him on a path to surpass his father’s records in the coming years.

The only thing holding Winfield Jr. back is his the lack of Pro Bowl selections. The craziest thing about this snub is that Arizona’s safety Budda Baker, made the Pro Bowl ahead of Winfield Jr. yet his statistics are comparatively lackluster.

Budda Baker Stats: 0 INT, 0 FF, 0 Sacks, 0 Fumble Recoveries

Winfield Jr. Stats: 3 INTs, 6 FF, 6 Sacks, 4 Fumble Recoveries

While we can argue all we want about Winfield Jr. and his Pro Bowl snub or even how the Pro Bowl is overrated and does not showcase just how impactful a player is for their team, the ultimate goal of this article is to highlight an athlete who may be the best in his position currently in the NFL.

BEYOND IMPACTFUL:

Honestly, if it weren’t for Winfield Jr. and his hustle and just pure football knowledge and ability, the Buccaneers would NOT be in the playoffs.

On Sunday against the then 2-14 Panthers, receiver DJ Chark raced down the sideline for what would have been a touchdown, this score would have given the Panthers a 7-0 lead. The only problem was that safety Winfield Jr. hustled down the sideline in a perfect pursuit angle and knocked the football out to force a turnover. The football went into the back of the endzone, resulting in a turnover and giving the Buccaneers possession.

With a final score of 9-0, without this hustle and football IQ of Winfield Jr., Tampa Bay might have lost or had a greater chance of being behind with a rough offensive showing not helping their case. This is just one instance this season that Winfield made an impactful play but it was at the most critical time of the season.

SOCIAL MEDIA REACTION: 

Since fumble data started being regularly aggregated in 1999, here's the full list of NFL players who have recorded at least 100 tackles, five sacks, five forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries & three INTs in a single season:

Antoine Winfield Jr. pic.twitter.com/cHs16YvHkF

— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) January 4, 2024

#Bucs WR Mike Evans on S Antoine Winfield Jr. not making the Pro Bowl: “I have seen a lot of guys get snubbed, but that was probably the biggest one that I've seen in my time in the league.”

(via @Buccaneers)pic.twitter.com/QrwkBBrwGw https://t.co/IyWDimEQWu

— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) January 5, 2024

Antoine Winfield Jr knocked it out at the goal line to force a turnover on what would’ve been a DJ Chark TD! #GoBucs pic.twitter.com/sWmLxBSWmG

— uSTADIUM (@uSTADIUM) January 7, 2024

BEST SAFETY IN NFL CURRENTLY?

I am going to ask a question for the fans who are reading this article. I would like to know which safety in the NFL is currently the best at their position. Do not look solely based on statistics but also on the impact they bring to the team.

If you do not mention Antoine Winfield Jr., then I would like to have a conversation about your choice and who outperformed statistical and also on the film at the most critical clutch moments when the team needed the athlete to make a play.

Ultimately, when it comes to playmaking, clutch and talent ability, Winfield Jr. has made his case as one of the premier defensive backs in all of the NFL. It will be interesting to see how he performs in the playoffs when the Philadelphia Eagles travel to Raymond James Stadium to face the division-leading Tampa Bay Buccaneers.