Say goodbye to the old Pro Bowl format and welcome the NFL‘s Pro Bowl Games.
It will be a weeklong skills competition featuring the league’s best.
Meanwhile, a flag football game on February 5, 2023 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas will culminate the activities.
While the league is trying to find ways in making the Pro Bowl more appealing to football fans, a concern was raised about whether players’ incentives will take a hit since full rosters might not be selected anymore.
NFL Network insider Tom Pelissero clarified the matter.
The Pro Bowl game has been replaced by "The Pro Bowl Games," but I'm told full rosters (44 per conference) will still be selected through fan and player voting. So, no impact on incentives, etc.
Details still to come on format of the flag football game, which won't be 11-on-11.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) September 26, 2022
Pelissero tweeted, “The Pro Bowl game has been replaced by ‘The Pro Bowl Games.’ But I’m told full rosters (44 per conference) will still be selected through fan and player voting. So, no impact on incentives, etc. Details are still to come on the format of the flag football game, which won’t be 11-on-11.”
Players with incentive-laden contracts can earn additional money by getting an All-Pro or Pro Bowl nod.
But there’s a backdoor to that condition, especially when roster spots open up after other players decline the invite due to injury or personal matters.
Replacements can still get that monetary incentive even if they were late additions.
Making The Pro Bowl More Exciting
The Pro Bowl’s old format has made the game an afterthought.
While it still pulled in 6.7 million viewers last season, that number is low for NFL’s standards.
Players who participate take it easy to avoid getting injuries that may jeopardize their careers.
Therefore, the league will have a flag football game instead of the full-contact version.
Peyton Manning‘s Omaha Productions will help the league in organizing and promoting the event.
Manning will also coach one of the flag football squads.
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