In a time where the sports world will welcome any content available with open arms, the National Football League (NFL) fueled fans and their desire to debate when the league released the All-Decade Team for the 2010s. The roster honors the players who spent the last ten years dominating their competition and marking themselves in the history books. With the 2010s officially in the past, who earned the right to make the cut at their position and who got snubbed?
Quarterbacks
Selections:
Tom Brady
This decade alone would qualify Brady for a spot in Canton. Brady marks the first unanimous spot on the list, and for good reason. TB12 took home two league Most Valuable Player (MVP) awards and three more Super Bowl championships. Even when his weapons were depleted at times, Brady found a way to succeed, deny Father Time and further cement his legacy as the greatest quarterback of all time.
Aaron Rodgers
Rodgers kicked off this decade right, defeating the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl XLV as the game’s MVP. Rodgers also won two league MVP awards in 2011 and 2014 with the ability to make any throw. The king of the Hail Mary pass also came to life with three passes in particular: the Thursday Night Football game winner at Detroit in 2015, the game tying deep ball to Jeff Janis to tie the game in the 2015 Divisional Round classic at Arizona and the connection with Randall Cobb in the 2016 Wild Card round at Lambeau Field against the Giants.
Snub:
Drew Brees
Brees is without question the greatest snub from the list. The NFL’s all-time leader in passing yards recorded four different seasons of 5,000 yards and eight different seasons of thirty or more touchdowns during the decade. Leaving such a perennial passer off this list is a true head scratcher.
Running Backs
Selections
Frank Gore
Gore is the embodiment of longevity in the league. The free agent running back will enter his 15th season should a team sign him after a decade in which he rushed for over 1,000 yards five times and tallied over 1,000 yards from scrimmage in eight straight seasons.
Marshawn Lynch
“Beast Mode” was just that in the 2010s: a beast. The “Beast Quake” run against the Saints in the 2010 Wild Card round will remain one of the most memorable plays in NFL history. The Super Bowl XLVIII champion posted double digit touchdowns and 1,000 rushing yards in four straight seasons. The only way to add to his legacy: getting the ball at the one-yard line in Super Bowl XLIX.
LeSean McCoy
“Shady” stood out in backfields in Philadelphia, Buffalo and Kansas City over the last ten years. McCoy’s spot on the list is headlined by his ridiculous 2013 campaign, where he averaged just over 100 yards per game on the ground, rushed for 1,607 yards, and tallied a whopping 2,146 total yards.
Adrian Peterson
The longtime face of the Minnesota Vikings stands alone as the only unanimous choice at running back on the list. His 2012 NFL MVP season may be the greatest season ever by a running back; a year in which Peterson ran for 2,097 yards averaging 131.1 yards per game with 12 touchdowns.
Snubs:
N/A
The qualified running backs with consistency and success made the list.
Wide Receivers
Selections:
Antonio Brown
AB made his case year in and year out as the best receiver in the game. The sixth-round pick from Central Michigan University hauled in at least 100 passes for over 1,000 yards from 2013-2018. His off-field antics over the last year may alter his public image, but his stats speak for themselves.
Larry Fitzgerald
“Fitz” will for sure be a first ballot Hall of Famer, and his time in the 2010s backs that. After the 2008 postseason, his playoff legacy was already cemented. His heroic performance in the 2015 Divisional Round against the Packers will go down as one of the greatest postseason performances ever. Fitzgerald remained a regular season threat, posting four different 1,000-yard seasons during the decade.
Calvin Johnson
The Madden 13 cover athlete was unguardable in his time this decade prior to his retirement following the 2015 season. Megatron recorded at least 1,000 yards in every season this decade; none bigger than his 2012 campaign with a whopping 122 catches for 1,964 yards, which was good for an astounding average of 122.8 yards. His 6’5” 237-pound frame remains one of the most physically dominating of his era.
Julio Jones
The former Crimson Tide pass catcher flourished in his time with Matt Ryan. Jones is certainly in the running for the receiver of the decade; leading the league once in receptions, twice in yardage, and three times in yards per game. Despite the lack of a Super Bowl ring on his finger, Jones has dominated in his postseason career with six touchdowns in eight games.
Snubs:
DeAndre Hopkins
Hopkins has emerged as one of, if not the top, best receiver in football. Had Hopkins had more than three seasons of Deshaun Watson and not the majority of his career with Brian Hoyer and Ryan Mallett, Hopkins would be on the list.
Tight Ends
Selections:
Rob Gronkowski
Gronk burst onto the scene in 2010 and never looked back. After his rookie year, his 1,327 yard 17 touchdown season in 2011 set records for a tight end at the time. Gronkowski’s 79 touchdown receptions were more than any player dating back to 2010. Despite the countless injuries, the career of Rob Gronkowski puts him in the conversation as the greatest tight end of all time.
Travis Kelce
With the retirement of Gronkowski, Kelce took the torch as the league’s greatest tight end, and now adds a Super Bowl championship to his resume following the Chiefs’ 31-20 win over the 49ers in Super Bowl LIV. Kelce has recorded 1,000 yards in every season since 2016 along with five Pro Bowl selections to his name since being drafted in 2013.
Snubs:
Zach Ertz, Tony Gonzalez, Antonio Gates
While each of these players had flashes of greatness
across the decade, they did not have the success over the amount of time in the 2010s worthy enough of a spot on the list.
Offensive Tackles
Selection:
Jason Peters
Peters has been a consistent presence protecting the blind side of Philadelphia quarterbacks for over a decade and a half. After being drafted in 2004, Peters’ dedication to the franchise paid off with a victory in Super Bowl LII.
Tyron Smith
Dallas features one of football’s most fearsome offensive lines year in and year out, and Tyron Smith is a major piece of the Dallas foundation. The ninth overall pick in the 2011 draft has proven his worth in the Lone Star state, earning himself an astounding eight-year $97.6 million contract.
Joe Staley
The six-time Pro Bowler started all sixteen games in six different seasons, including five straight from 2011-2015.
Joe Thomas
The lifelong Cleveland Brown started all sixteen games in every season except 2017, which included ten Pro Bowl selections dating back to his first season in 2007.
Offensive Guards
Selections:
Jahri Evans
Evans spent the majority of his career in New Orleans before spending his final NFL season in Green Bay in 2017. The Super Bowl XLIV champion started all sixteen games in five different seasons during the 2010s.
Logan Mankins
The former Patriot and Buccaneer peaked in the late 2000s, but the seven-time Pro Bowler still had enough success prior to his retirement in 2015 to earn a spot on the list.
Zack Martin
Another staple of the Cowboys offensive line has made the Pro Bowl in every season since being drafted in 2014 and started all sixteen games in every season except 2018.
Marshal Yanda
The unanimous choice at guard has anchored the Baltimore line since 2007 and featured seven Pro Bowl selections, including six straight from 2011-2016.
Snubs:
The case can be made for plenty of players, but the selections stood out with healthy season and Pro Bowl honors.
Centers
Selections:
Alex Mack
When Mack was traded from Cleveland to Atlanta, experts claimed the move would put the Falcons over the top. Mack proved his worth in his first season in Atlanta as a driving force for the team’s trip to Super Bowl LI. Throughout the decade, Mack was selected to five Pro Bowls and is yet to miss a start in Atlanta.
Maurkice Pouncey
The former Florida Gator provided a major boost to the Pittsburgh offensive line. He has been selected to the Pro Bowl every year since 2014 with the exception of 2015, where he missed the entire season due to ankle surgery.
Snubs:
Jason Kelce
The Super Bowl LII champion features a resume with three Pro Bowls and three All Pro selections that should have earned him a spot on the list.
Defensive Ends
Selections:
Calais Campbell
Campbell’s 6’8” 300-pound frame allowed him to wreak havoc at the line of scrimmage, particularly as a pass rusher, as he totaled 81 sacks during the 2010s in time with Arizona and Jacksonville.
Cameron Jordan
Since being drafted in 2011, Jordan has never missed a game in the regular season for the Saints and missed only one start. Jordan developed throughout the decade before a career season in 2019 with 90 total tackles and 15.5 sacks.
Julius Peppers
It seems like Peppers has been in the league forever, and his play continued to enhance defenses throughout the decade. He split time with Chicago, Green Bay and Carolina and played at a high level and a mentor to young players prior to his retirement following the 2018 season.
JJ Watt
When healthy, Watt is arguably the greatest defensive player in the game. The unanimous pick made five Pro Bowls, five All Pro selections and completed two seasons with more than 20 sacks. The 2017 Walter Payton Man of the Year has also been an incredible humanitarian in his efforts of aid in response to coronavirus and Hurricane Maria.
Snubs:
The league got this one right. There are no stand out snubs at the position.
Defensive Tackles
Selections:
Geno Atkins
While the Bengals were subpar for most of the decade, Atkins stood out individually with eight Pro Bowl selections and two All-Pro selections.
Fletcher Cox
For someone who publicly states he does not watch a lot of sports outside of his career, Cox has been exceptional in his field. The anchor of the Philadelphia defense has been a brick wall at the line of scrimmage with five Pro Bowl selections and a Super Bowl championship.
Aaron Donald
Since entering the league in 2014, the unanimous pick’s resume is unparalleled among defenders. Through his age 28 season, the 2018 NFC Champion has racked up six Pro Bowl selections, five All-Pro selections, the 2014 Defensive Rookie of the Year award and back to back NFL Defensive Player of the Year Awards in 2017 and 2018.
Ndamukong Suh
Despite his past with some alleged dirty play, Suh imposed his will with ease on NFL offenses. Suh has tallied five Pro Bowl appearances and three All-Pro Selections in addition to his recognition as the 2010 Defensive Rookie of the Year.
Snubs:
Vince Wilfork
Wilfork appeared in two Super Bowls during the decade and provided stability to the defensive lines of both New England and Houston.
Linebackers
Selections:
Chandler J
ones
This Syracuse alum broke out in New England and won Super Bowl XLIX in his third season. Jones has developed into a star following his trade to Arizona, making two Pro Bowls and two All-Pro teams since arriving in the desert.
Luke Kuechly
The former Boston College Eagle has been a tackling machine, making the Pro Bowl in every season following his rookie year. Kuechly led the league in tackles twice and tallied over 1,000 tackles in his career.
Khalil Mack
Mack has been unstoppable since being drafted out of Buffalo. Mack built a name for himself in Oakland and helped revive “The Monsters of the Midway” when he was traded to Chicago. The 2016 Defensive Player of the Year tallied double digit sacks in four straight seasons from 2015-2018.
Von Miller
The unanimous pick may be the greatest pass rusher of this generation. The 2011 Defensive Rookie of the Year was the star of the 2015 Broncos, one of the greatest defenses of all time. His iconic performance in Super Bowl 50 earned him MVP honors with two strip sacks of 2015 NFL MVP Cam Newton.
Bobby Wagner
Wagner is one of the most athletically gifted middle linebackers of the decade, marking a constant in Pete Carroll’s defensive group. The six-time Pro Bowler and five time All-Pro led the league once in combined tackles and once in solo tackles.
Patrick Willis
While he made a name for himself in the 2000s, Willis anchored a 49ers defense that went to three straight NFC Championship games.
Snubs:
None. The NFL got this right.
Cornerbacks
Selections:
Patrick Peterson
Peterson’s dual ability as a lockdown corner and return threat allowed him to earn a reputation of greatness across the league. Peterson made the Pro Bowl in each of his first eight seasons, led the league in fumble recoveries in 2012, and hauled in 25 interceptions during the decade.
Darrelle Revis
In his prime, no one shut down elite receivers quite like “Revis Island.” Revis finally won a ring with New England in 2014 and made five Pro Bowls throughout the decade.
Richard Sherman
As the self-proclaimed “best corner in the game,” Sherman backed up his mouth with his performance on the field. Sherman led the league in passes defended in 2012 and interceptions in 2013 while winning Super Bowl XLVIII. After a major Achilles injury, the Stanford alum reinvented himself and returned to glory in 2019 as an NFC Champion and a Pro Bowl selection.
Snubs:
Stephon Gilmore
The 2019 Defensive Player of the Year has developed into a true shutdown corner and arguably the best in the game right now. Gilmore led the league in interceptions in 2019 and made the Pro Bowl in three of the last four seasons.
Safeties
Selections:
Eric Berry
Berry offers one of the most inspiring stories of the stories. Berry led the league in defensive touchdowns twice. One of Berry’s three All-Pro selections came just a year after beating cancer in a season where he was also named the 2015 Comeback Player of the Year.
Eric Weddle
Weddle’s iconic taped bare-handed fingers and beard should not overshadow his terrific play with the Chargers, Ravens, and Rams. He led the league with seven interceptions in 2011 to go along with six Pro Bowl selections, including three straight from 2016-2018 with Baltimore.
Earl Thomas
Thomas may be the best “centerfielder” at free safety since Ed Reed defined the position. The Super Bowl XLVIII champion was an original member of the “Legion of Boom” in Seattle. Thomas was also an All Pro in three consecutive seasons.
Snubs:
None. The NFL got this one right.
Extra Defensive Backs
Selections:
Chris Harris
Harris was another integral member of the 2015 Broncos and stood out among slot corners. Harris also made four Pro Bowls during the decade.
Tyrann Mathieu
“The Honey Badger” remains one of the greater nicknames in the league for the LSU alum. The two time All-Pro and Super Bowl LIV champion made his presence felt in stints with Arizona, Houston, and Kansas City.
Snubs:
This could be open to interpretation, but the NFL made solid selections at this position.
Punters
Selections:
Johnny Hekker
Hekker led the league in punting yards twice and his 65-yard punt in Super Bowl LIII is a Super Bowl record.
Shane Lechler
The eighteen-year veteran had a superb decade during time with Oakland and Houston, including leading the league in punting yards at age 41 in his final season in 2017.
Snubs:
Marquette King was certainly fun to watch, but his 2014 league leading season was not enough to earn him a spot on the list.
Kickers
Selections
Stephen Gostkowski
Despite years of miscues beginning with a missed extra point in the 2015 AFC Championship Game that derailed his career at times, Gostkowski still led the league in made field goals twice and tallied three straight Pro Bowl appearances from 2013-2015.
Justin Tucker
As a unanimous pick, the Super Bowl XLVII champion embodies the word “clutch” from the year he entered the league in 2012 with game winning kicks against the Patriots and in the playoffs at Denver. Tucker also holds a career made field goal percentage over 90%.
Snubs:
None. Gostkowski and Tucker were far and away the best kickers of the 2010s.
Punt Returners:
Selections:
Tyreek Hill
Despite his off-field issues, Hill has been incredible as a returner. In his rookie season, he led the league in punt return yardage, yards per attempt and touchdowns. Hill has returned 5 total touchdowns in his career.
Darren Sproles
Sproles is the only player to make the list at two positions, both as a punt returner and a FLEX offensive player. Sproles possesses incredible speed as a three-time Pro Bowler, and led the league and punt return yards and touchdowns in both 2014 and 2015.
Snubs:
Randall Cobb, Julian Edelman and DeSean Jackson had flashes of greatness, but not enough to join this position on the list.
Kick Returners:
Selections:
Devin Hester
Hester is arguably the best kick returner in NFL history. He led the league in kick returns in yardage in 2013 and 2014. Hester has also logged 19 total return touchdowns in his career.
Cordarrelle Patterson
In time with Minnesota, Oakland, New England and Chicago, Patterson was as dangerous a returner as anyone in the league. Patterson led the league in kick return touchdowns an astounding five times.
Snubs:
Jacoby Jones
Jones led the league in return touchdowns twice and holds the record for the longest kick return in Super Bowl history with a 108-yard touchdown against the 49ers in a winning effort with the Ravens in Super Bowl XLVII.
Coaches
Selections:
Bill Belichick
The greatest coach ever only added to his Hall of Fame resume during the decade, appearing in five Super Bowls and winning three. His Patriot teams never finished with less than 11 wins during the 2010s.
Pete Carroll
Carroll’s passion and enthusiasm would not lead people to believe he is the oldest head coach in the league. He joined Belichick as the only other coach this decade to reach multiple Super Bowls, winning Super Bowl XLVIII and ultimately losing Super Bowl XLIX.
Snubs:
None. The multiple Super Bowl appearances by Belichick and Carroll separate them from the pack.
(Stats via Pro Football Reference)
Photo Courtesy of Charles Krupa
