Pro Bowl Games
Pro Bowl Games
The NFL’s Pro Bowl has changed drastically over the years, going from a highly contested end-of-season glorified scrimmage dating back to 1951 to the current version following the 2025 season, which was the Pro Bowl Games built around flag football.
Now, the Pro Bowl is no more.
The NFL made major changes to the Pro Bowl Games Wednesday, wiping out the on-field events entirely. Instead, the league will still hand out Pro Bowl honors through the same voting system, but it will culminate in a February celebration for the honored players.
The Athletic reported the changes to the Pro Bowl on Wednesday afternoon.
According to The Athletic, the changes come after the league surveyed players in recent years to improve the experience, which had become a made-for-TV event that largely became a joke. Now, the NFL has changed the Pro Bowl into an individual performance award, where 88 players will receive the Pro Bowl honor with no alternates.
“…I think all leagues have struggled with that. We made the switch four years ago from the ‘tackle’ Pro Bowl to the flag game, and that was more strategic for us. In many ways, we saw a decrease in the replacement players,” Peter O’Reilly, NFL executive vice president of club business, international and league events, said to The Athletic. “But ultimately, the Pro Bowl, at its core, is about honoring the best of the best in that season, on the field, in real games.
“And the shift here is about shifting the focus from the game — which is ultimately where people’s attention goes, especially the replacement players tied to it — to the honor.”
Exclusively at @TheAthletic: After years of noncompetitive play and tweaks, the NFL will no longer hold a Pro Bowl game, becoming the first major U.S. league to end its all-star event. The NFL will focus its celebration on Pro Bowlers with no alternates. https://t.co/m34IZDmReq
— Jonathan Jones (@jjones9) August 26, 2026
Over the last decade or so, having the distinction of being a Pro Bowl player lost its luster, especially after there were so many alternates named in recent years. It went from some of the best players in the game to an event featuring players that were simply available and recognizable.
In recent years, the likes of Baltimore Ravens quarterback Tyler “Snoop” Huntley and Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders were Pro Bowl players. Even former Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris was named a Pro Bowl alternate after his rookie season. He was joined by former wide receiver Diontae Johnson.
With Pro Bowl honors coming up in player negotiations and Hall of Fame credentials, the way the game has trended in recent years made it harder to take the honor seriously.
This change aims to correct that, while fans will still have a chance to vote for players.
According to The Athletic’s article, “ballots cast by fans, players and coaches are weighted equally to determine the selections of the 88 players on offense, defense and special teams across both conferences.”
Once the 88 players are chosen, they’ll be invited to Los Angeles in February to be celebrated, similar to an awards ceremony. No longer will anyone have to watch flag football on a Sunday afternoon the week before the Super Bowl.