Panthers’ Johnny Hekker leads all punters after 1st round of 2023 Pro Bowl voting

In what’s been a largely tumultuous 2022 season, the Carolina Panthers have at least had a few sure things. And one of those things is punter Johnny Hekker.

On Monday, the NFL wrapped up the first round of voting for the 2023 Pro Bowl Games and revealed its leaders for the all-star event. Sitting atop all punters, in both the AFC and NFC, is Hekker—at 40,669 votes.

#Vikings WR Justin Jefferson, with 90,313 votes, leads all players in fan voting for the 2023 Pro Bowl Games. pic.twitter.com/vSyOhGtA12

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) November 28, 2022

The 11th-year veteran is having himself a rock-solid debut campaign in Carolina. He currently ranks first in net yards (2,689) and first in punts landed inside the 20-yard line (29). (Oh, and he’s broken out the trickery he’s become rather popular for, completing his lone pass attempt for a 2-yard gain.)

Hekker is no stranger to recognition, as he’s already been voted to four Pro Bowls. He’s also a four-time First-team All-Pro, a two-time Second-team All-Pro and a member of the NFL 2010s All-Decade Team.

And he may be joined by a teammate or two come February, as defensive end Brian Burns is currently the NFC’s second-leading vote getter at his position.