NFL replacing Pro Bowl with weeklong skills competition, flag football game

The NFL is finally doing something about the Pro Bowl, replacing it with a weeklong skills competition and a flag football game, according to The Associated Press.

“The NFL is replacing the Pro Bowl with weeklong skills competitions and a flag football game, The Associated Press has learned,” wrote Rob Maaddi of the AP. “The new event will replace the full-contact showcase started in 1951. It will be renamed ‘The Pro Bowl Games’ and will feature AFC and NFC players showcasing their football and non-football skills in challenges over several days. The 2023 Games will be held in Las Vegas, and the flag football game at Allegiant Stadium is Sunday, Feb. 5.

“Peyton Manning and his Omaha Productions company will help shape programming and promote the event’s content throughout the week. Manning, a 14-time Pro Bowl pick during his Hall of Fame career, will provide his perspective and will also be a part of the coaching staff for flag game.”

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After the play that has been seen in the Pro Bowl over recent seasons, something had to be done about it. Moreover, NFL executive Peter O’Reilly told The Associated Press that the feedback regarding the new system has been “overwhelmingly positive” from both players and teams.

“The Pro Bowl is something that we’ve been looking at for a while, really continuing to evolve,” O’Reilly told The Associated Press. “Coming out of last year’s game, we really made the decision based on a lot of internal conversations, getting feedback from GMs and coaches, getting a lot of feedback from players. We think there’s a real opportunity to do something wholly different here and move away from the traditional tackle football game. We decided the goal is to celebrate 88 of the biggest stars in the NFL in a really positive, fun, yet competitive way.

“The feedback very directly from guys who had been in the Pro Bowl recently was to keep the construct of the week, make sure you’re having that multi-day element. It was overwhelmingly positive both from players as well as from clubs.”

Continuing, Peyton Manning — who The Associated Press reported will play a big role in the new Pro Bowl format — couldn’t be more excited for the change.

“The Pro Bowl has always been a time to step back and celebrate the game of football with teammates, fans and family,” Manning told the AP. “I’m thankful I can continue to be part of the week as all of us at Omaha Productions work with the NFL to reimagine The Pro Bowl Games. Making Sunday’s game a flag football game is great to see.

“Youth football has been extremely important to me, and knowing NFL FLAG will help grow this sport, I hope boys and girls can see themselves playing the same game as the best players in the world.”

Alas, one element from the old Pro Bowl format will remain — fans will still be able to vote in their favorite players. Regardless, the wholesale changes will be more than welcome, as the Pro Bowl may actually be watchable now.