All articles tagged with #pro bowl
The Browns announced quarterback Shedeur Sanders will switch from No. 12 to No. 2 for the 2026 season, a number he has worn in high school and college. The jersey became available after DeAndre Carter left the team. Sanders, who earned a Pro Bowl berth last season, is aiming to build on a rookie campaign that produced about 1,400 passing yards, 7 touchdowns and 10 interceptions over eight games.
Former Raiders center Barret Robbins, a 2002 All-Pro and Pro Bowler who started 105 games, died at 52. Robbins is best known for disappearing the day before Super Bowl XXXVII; he later returned to the Raiders for the game but did not play, attributing the episode to a mental-health issue caused by not taking his medication.
Veteran quarterback Joe Flacco, 41, re-signed with the Cincinnati Bengals on a one-year, $6 million contract that could reach $9 million with incentives. After being traded to Cincinnati in 2025, he played nine games (six starts) with 1,664 passing yards and 13 touchdowns and earned a Pro Bowl nod as a roster replacement, with indications he could return for his 19th NFL season in Cincinnati.
The Green Bay Packers released versatile offensive lineman Elgton Jenkins, who started 94 of 96 games at four positions across seven seasons and earned two Pro Bowl selections, as the team thanks him for his contributions and wishes him the best.
27-year-old Bears center Drew Dalman, a 2025 Pro Bowler, abruptly retires after five NFL seasons on a $43 million deal, citing long-term toll of football despite no current health issues; his decision echoes Andrew Luck's retirement and leaves the Bears seeking a replacement such as Tyler Biadasz, Connor McGovern, or Tyler Linderbaum while maintaining a strong offensive line.
Bears center Drew Dalman, who started every offensive snap in 2025 and earned his first Pro Bowl nod in his fifth NFL season, is retiring at age 27, creating another vacancy for the Bears at the center/line position.
Chicago Bears center Drew Dalman is expected to retire after five NFL seasons, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Chicago is hosting center Tyler Biadasz for a visit as a potential replacement, as the team continues to fortify the interior line. Dalman, 27, helped anchor a rebuilt O-line that aided QB Caleb Williams and earned strong marks from PFF, including a Pro Bowl nod and top run-blocking grade at center. He started every regular-season game and both playoff contests in Chicago, finishing his career with 74 appearances and 57 starts after being a 2021 fourth-round pick.
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.