The state of the Pro Bowl

The state of the Pro Bowl

The state of the Pro Bowl

While the  head off to New Orleans for Super Bowl LIX, the rest of the NFL’s all stars will be heading to the Pro Bowl.


The weekend between the Super Bowl and the AFC/NFC championship game has always been reserved for the Pro Bowl. The two-week gap allows both championship teams to travel and rest while some of the NFL’s best show off their skills.


However, in most recent years the Pro Bowl has switched up its format in order to accommodate NFL fans. The Pro Bowl has been criticized for its lack of effort and boring football. 


Some people believe that the pro bowl should be abolished altogether as it doesn’t draw in the same amount of people as a regular season NFL game. The title of a pro bowl lost a lot of merit after backup quarterback Tyler Huntley was named to a pro bowl in 2022. 


The only thing that is potentially worse than a non-deserving player making an all star appearance is a pro-bowl caliber player getting a spot that he doesn’t deserve. 


At this point, the pro bowl has become a popularity contest instead of an exhibition of the league's all stars. Players being named to the all-pro team has more weight to it than a pro bowl appearance. 


Some all-pro players such Denver Broncos guard Quinn Meinerz and Detroit Lions safety Kerby Joseph weren’t even named to the pro bowl in their all-pro season. Another thing worth noting is that Joseph led the league in interceptions in 2024. 


The state of the current pro bowl form has been unwatchable so far and the decline of the exhibition seems to be continuing. The current flag football and skills matchups format has yet to improve the game. 


However despite its decline, the pro bowl has provided a lot of good memories from the past as it once was a competition of skill instead of popularity. 


One of the best moments was when the late Sean Taylor made his massive hit on Buffalo Bills punter Brian Moorman. It was 2006 and Washington Redskins safety Taylor was named a pro bowl alternate after Brian Dawkins declined his invitation. 


Taylor proceeded to make a crushing hit against Moorman that raised much fan and media discussion. However, the hit made Taylor famous and is one of the most memorable plays in his short career. 


Another fond memory was when Derek Carr was named to a pro bowl in 2022 and proceeded to use the skills competition as a form of tryout. Following the 2022 regular season, it was announced that Las Vegas Raiders intended to release longtime QB Derek Carr. 


Carr took advantage of the skills competition to show off his talent in hopes of getting signed by an NFL team during the 2023 offseason. It worked as Carr was eventually signed by the New Orleans Saints during that offseason. 


While the Pro Bowl may be ousted somewhere in the future, the memories of this once great game could make its legacy last forever.

 


LATEST

  • NEWS
  • |
  • ARTICLES
  • |
  • VIDEOS
img_articles

The $100 million man

img_articles

A new league year

img_articles

Davante to LA

img_articles

Daniels to Deebo for six

img_articles

Rodgers to the Big Apple? Why Aaron Rodgers Mig...

img_articles

Russell Okung's Bitcoin Gamble: From Gridiron t...

img_articles

The Long Road Back: Will Henry Ruggs Ever Play ...

img_articles

Tee Higgins’ second tag

img_articles

Stafford is staying

img_articles

Next Year’s MVP

img_articles

How Kelee Ringo Plans to Make an Impact in the ...

img_articles

Is this the end?

img_articles

Shedeur Sanders, Cam Ward or neither?

img_articles

Niners at a Crossroads: Tough Calls Loom for Lynch

img_articles

Bolts Set to Samba: Chargers' Brazil Opener Sig...

img_articles

Panthers' Draft Dilemma: Rebuilding Around Young

img_articles

Time's Up for Geno: Why Seattle Needs a New Sig...

img_articles

Pats' Draft Dilemma: Offense or Defense at No. 4?

img_articles

Cheetah on the Move? Tyreek Hill's Potential 20...

img_articles

Travis Kelce's Retirement Rumors: More Smoke Th...

img_articles

The curious case of Sam Darnold

img_articles

Jalen Hurts gets his flowers

img_articles

Where will Tee Higgins go?

img_articles

How Did They Do? The 2024 NFL Draft's Top RBs

img_articles

Looking ahead to the 2025 season

img_articles

A look back on the 2024 season

img_articles

Cream of the Crop: Who's the top QB in the 2025...

img_articles

A different look at Patrick Mahomes

img_articles

Revisiting the worst NFL trade

img_articles

Who's QB1? The 2024 NFL Draft Class

img_articles

Maybe next year Josh

img_articles

The Chiefs are Inevitable

img_articles

Patrick Mahomes is now one step closer to the GOAT

img_articles

Where do the Bills go from here?

img_articles

The Commanders should be thrilled about their s...

img_articles

Ascend to Descend: What happened to Desmond Rid...

img_articles

Heavy Bags For A Head Honcho: Mike McCarthy's N...

img_articles

Bags in New York? How Much Is Tommy DeVito Earn...

img_articles

Meet Tommy DevIto's Parents, Tom and Alexandra

img_articles

Owner's Fortune: How Much Is John Mara's Net Wo...

img_articles

A deep dive into Mark Andrews

img_articles

Who Will Win the Super Bowl? Favorites, Sleeper...

img_articles

Defining moments in the Divisional round

img_articles

A rookie year to remember

img_articles

Same old Lion

img_articles

From the Field to the Screen: Brandon Marshall'...

img_articles

The Chiefs Incredible Run

img_articles

Is this a crucial year for Lamar Jackson?

img_articles

Where do the Vikings go from here?

FAN ARCH PODCAST NETWORK