INDIANAPOLIS — Former Penn State tight end Tyler Warren has been named to the 2026 Pro Bowl Games, the NFL announced Saturday morning.
Warren, who was selected 14th overall by the Indianapolis Colts in the 2025 NFL Draft, will replace Las Vegas Raiders rookie Brock Bowers, who withdrew from the event due to injury.
The honor serves as the capstone to a sensational rookie campaign. Warren immediately established himself as a primary weapon in the Indianapolis offense, finishing the 2025 season with 76 receptions for 817 yards and four touchdowns.
A Historic Rookie Season
Warren’s production wasn’t just impressive for a rookie; it rewrote the franchise record books.
- Most Receptions by a Rookie TE: 76 (Breaking the previous Colts record)
- Most Receiving Yards by a Rookie TE: 817
- NFL Rank: Top 10 among all tight ends in receiving yards for the 2025 season.
His versatility, a trait honed at Penn State where he famously played quarterback in the “Lion” package, translated seamlessly to the NFL. The Colts utilized him as a traditional inline tight end, a slot receiver, and even out of the backfield, creating mismatches that defensive coordinators struggled to counter.
Joining Elite Company
By earning a Pro Bowl nod in his first year, Warren joins a rare fraternity of Penn State alumni. He becomes the first Nittany Lion offensive skill player to reach the Pro Bowl as a rookie since Saquon Barkley took the league by storm in 2018.
He is also just the second rookie tight end in Indianapolis Colts history to receive Pro Bowl honors, further cementing his status as a cornerstone of the franchise’s future.
While fellow alumnus Abdul Carter faced a steeper learning curve with the New York Giants, Warren’s immediate ascent highlights the readiness of Penn State products for the professional level. His ability to block, catch, and create yards after contact—skills developed under tight ends coach Ty Howle in Happy Valley—made him a Day 1 starter in the league.
Warren will represent the AFC team in the Pro Bowl Games, which take place next weekend in Orlando.