Report: NFL considering alternatives to Pro Bowl week

In the week before AFC and NFC championship games and the Super Bowl, the NFL Pro Bowl annually takes place. In recent years, though, the traditional event has drawn some serious criticism. Now, the NFL is reportedly thinking about making some changes to the Pro Bowl.

According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the NFL could possible eliminate the Pro Bowl. If the league can’t come up with any alternatives, the event as we know it could soon be coming to an end.

“The NFL is discussing the Pro Bowl week and ways to improve it — including possibly eliminating the traditional game and using that Sunday to showcase the players in it,” Rapoport tweeted. “Essentially, what are the alternatives?”

One possible alternative to the Pro Bowl for the NFL could be flag football. In a lot of ways, that’s not far off from what the Pro Bowl has become in recent years. Due to the event taking place at the end of the year with not much remaining to play for, the effort level isn’t that of a traditional NFL game. Players have not been known to tackle or play much defense in the game in a couple of years, and that was especially on display this past season.

“The reality is, the traditional Pro Bowl game is not what it should be,” said Rapoport. “So, what else can be done? Would a flag football game with some of the NFL’s stars be better? That’s just one possible solution.”

This past year, the AFC defeated the NFC in the Pro Bowl, winning 41-35. Viewership was down this year, with the lowest number of viewers watching the game since 2006.

The Pro Bowl has been a staple for much of the NFL’s history. Fans vote on which players across the league should be in the game, but ultimately the event is in need of major improvement. That improvement could be on its way, depending on which direction the NFL opts to go in.