All articles tagged with #pro bowl
Former NFL offensive lineman Tre’ Johnson, a 1994 second-round pick who spent seven seasons with Washington, one with the Browns, and a 2002 return to Washington, died at age 54. He earned a 1999 Pro Bowl and second-team All-Pro honors; his wife Irene announced the passing on Facebook as sudden and unexpected during a brief family trip.
Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders made his Pro Bowl debut in San Francisco, flashing arm talent with two touchdown passes and a successful two-point conversion, but also threw two interceptions (including a red-zone pick) as the Pro Bowl showcased entertainment. The NFC edged the AFC 66-52, and Sanders’ appearance marked the first former HBCU quarterback at the Pro Bowl since Steve McNair in 2005, a moment set against his modest regular-season stats (7 TDs in 8 games, ~1,400 yards, 10 INTs) and a QBi Metric of 56.9.
Team NFC rallied from an 18-point halftime deficit to beat Team AFC 66-52 in the Pro Bowl Games flag football in San Francisco, with 49ers stars Christian McCaffrey, Kyle Juszczyk, Trent Williams, Luke Gifford, and Jon Weeks contributing; the NFC outscored the AFC 30-8 in the second half, capped by a fourth-quarter Hurts-to-Lamb TD that sealed the win. Kittle was listed as a Pro Bowler but did not play due to injury. Jerry Rice coached the NFC and Steve Young coached the AFC; the event marked the first Pro Bowl Games during Super Bowl week. Replays air on ESPN networks, with next year’s Pro Bowl headed to Los Angeles at SoFi Stadium.
ESPN will broadcast the 2026 NFL Pro Bowl Games—a 7-on-7 flag football event—live on Feb. 3 during Super Bowl Week in San Francisco, across ESPN networks, the ESPN App, Disney XD, ESPN Deportes, and NFL+. The broadcast will include live interviews with Pro Football Hall of Famers, real-time conversations with top players, and mic’d up moments, plus the NFL FLAG High School Girls Showcase airing during Postseason NFL Countdown; Emma Rascoe of Webster Schroeder High School is among the 32 participants, nominated by the Buffalo Bills.
Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders—son of Deion—surprised many by earning a Pro Bowl invite after a volatile rookie season. While the Pro Bowl is largely ceremonial, Sanders treats the moment as a chance to prove he’s more than his name. The invite came after AFC quarterbacks injuries and Trevor Lawrence opting out; Sanders spent the week around top players like Michael Vick and intends the appearance as a launchpad toward a longer NFL career, especially with a new head coach in 2026.
NFL commentator Mike Florio argues the Pro Bowl Games should be scrapped if viewership stays weak, pointing to last year’s 4.7 million viewers and suggesting the league treat the event as a loss leader unless it becomes profitable, especially given its flag-football format and primetime slot.
Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow was named to the AFC roster for the 2026 Pro Bowl Games in San Francisco, marking his third career Pro Bowl selection (2022, 2024). In 2025, after returning from a toe injury in Week 13, he posted 1,809 passing yards and 17 touchdowns in eight starts with a 100.7 rating, and over the final six weeks led the NFL in completions (152) while ranking among the leaders in TDs (15), yards (1,620), completion percentage (68.2%) and rating (102.2). He joins Ja’Marr Chase, Joe Flacco and Tee Higgins as Bengals Pro Bowl picks for 2025, and becomes the fourth Bengals QB with at least three Pro Bowl honors (Ken Anderson, Andy Dalton, Boomer Esiason). The Pro Bowl Games are Feb. 3 at Moscone Center in San Francisco and will be televised on ESPN.
The article argues the NFL should retire the Pro Bowl Games due to declining TV ratings and the move to a TV-centered, stadium-free format. With viewership sliding from 6.7 million to 4.7 million and concerns about injury risk and fan engagement, some advocate simply naming AFC/NFC rosters without a game. If the audience doesn’t rebound, the Pro Bowl Games are likely to be discontinued, potentially as a loss leader to promote flag football.
NFL roundup: Patriots QB Drake Maye did not practice Friday due to illness, though his shoulder showed progress after limited work on Thursday. The rest of the league highlights a flurry of coaching moves (Falcons hire Michael Bearden; Ravens hire Declan Doyle as OC; Bills hire Pete Carmichael Jr.), Bills’ QB coach candidacy for Connor Senger, Bears’ compensation note in a front-office story, Joe Flacco named a Pro Bowl alternate, Vikings fire GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, Jalen Hurts added to the Pro Bowl Games roster, and Washington naming Daronte Jones as defensive coordinator.
The Browns hired Todd Monken as head coach, and his offense could suit quarterback Shedeur Sanders, who, despite modest rookie stats, earned a Pro Bowl and slid to the fifth round in the 2025 draft. Cleveland is expected to add quarterback depth this offseason, with Sanders’ prior interest from Baltimore adding intrigue about how well he’ll fit Monken’s system versus Schwartz or Scheelhaase.
Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders was named to the 2026 Pro Bowl Games, the first Browns rookie quarterback to earn the honor and the seventh Browns rookie overall to make the Pro Bowl. Sanders, who started the final seven games and finished his rookie season with 1,400 passing yards, seven touchdowns, 10 interceptions and 23 sacks, became the Browns’ lone Pro Bowler among rookies this year (joining Myles Garrett and Denzel Ward). The Pro Bowl Games will move to Super Bowl LX Week in the San Francisco Bay Area on Feb. 3, featuring an AFC vs. NFC flag football showdown coached by Jerry Rice and Steve Young; ESPN will air coverage starting at 6:30 p.m., with the flag game at 8 p.m., on ESPN, Disney XD and ESPN Deportes.
Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders was added to the AFC Pro Bowl roster as a replacement for Drake Maye after Maye’s Patriots advanced to Super Bowl LX; with Maye out and injuries to Bo Nix, Patrick Mahomes and Daniel Jones, Sanders — a 2025 fifth-round pick who started seven Browns games this season — completed 56.6% of his passes for 1,400 yards, seven TDs and 10 INTs, finishing with an 18.1 QB rating and ranking last in EPA/play and success rate among 37 qualified QBs; he becomes the Browns’ first Pro Bowl quarterback since Derek Anderson in 2007, and the Pro Bowl is set for February 3.
In a jaw-dropping move, Cleveland fifth-round QB Shedeur Sanders was added to the AFC Pro Bowl roster as a replacement after injuries and absences among other QBs, despite finishing seven starts with 1,400 yards, seven touchdowns and 10 interceptions. Sanders, who started late in the season after being behind Flacco and Dillon Gabriel, becomes the first fifth-round rookie to reach the Pro Bowl since Puka Nacua in 2023. The Browns finished 5-12 and coach Kevin Stefanski was fired; while Sanders will attend the game, there are questions about whether he’ll be Cleveland’s starter next season.
Shedeur Sanders was named to the AFC Pro Bowl roster as a replacement for injured quarterbacks, joining original AFC selections Josh Allen, Drake Maye and Justin Herbert. Sanders completed 120-of-212 passes for 1,400 yards, seven touchdowns and 10 interceptions in eight appearances this season, earning a notable Pro Bowl distinction in his rookie year.
Raiders' Maxx Crosby left the team facility after being told he wouldn't play the final two games due to a knee injury, ending his season early. Despite fighting through injury all season, Crosby's condition was deemed too severe to continue playing, and he will miss the last two games. Raiders coach Pete Carroll expressed full support for Crosby, emphasizing that the injury does not affect their relationship or his future with the team.