Bengals Trio Turns the Pro Bowl into a Showcase: Burrow, Chase, and Higgins Shine in San Francisco
The NFC may have walked away with the win in the 2026 Pro Bowl Games' flag football finale, rallying from an early deficit to top the AFC 66-52, but the real headline came from a trio of Bengals who turned what’s often a laid-back exhibition into must-watch football.
Joe Burrow, Ja'Marr Chase, and Tee Higgins didn’t just show up in San Francisco - they stole the show.
Burrow’s Late Arrival, Early Impact
Let’s start with Burrow. His Pro Bowl invite came at the 11th hour, and on paper, it might’ve raised some eyebrows.
After all, he missed half the season, and Joe Flacco - his injury replacement in Cincinnati - was already on the AFC roster. But Burrow’s presence wasn’t just symbolic.
It was catalytic.
He landed in the Bay Area with his usual cool confidence, suited up in his signature swagger, and brought life to a game that too often feels like a glorified walkthrough. From the jump, Burrow set the tone - not just with his arm, but with his legs and energy.
On one particularly creative play design, he made a defender miss in space, sprinted into the end zone, and punctuated the moment with a spike that felt equal parts Gronk and Anthony Richardson. It was a reminder: when Burrow’s on the field, even in a flag football setting, he’s going to compete.
Tee Higgins: Mr. Reliable, No Matter the QB
Tee Higgins didn’t care who was throwing the ball. Whether it was Flacco or the AFC’s surprise Pro Bowl addition Shedeur Sanders, Higgins was ready to make a play. He hauled in touchdowns from both quarterbacks, showcasing his signature ability to high-point the football and dominate in contested catch situations - traits that have defined his role in Cincinnati’s offense since day one.
In a game that often features more laughs than leverage, Higgins brought a little bit of both. His ability to rise above defenders and secure scores reminded everyone just how valuable he is - not just as a complementary piece, but as a go-to option in his own right.
Ja'Marr Chase: Offense, Defense, and Everything in Between
And then there was Ja’Marr Chase. Yes, he snagged a touchdown from Flacco.
Yes, he hit the griddy. But his most jaw-dropping moment came on the other side of the ball.
Lining up in the secondary, Chase read Jared Goff like a seasoned defensive back, jumped a route near the goal line, and took it all the way back for a pick six. It was the kind of play that makes you do a double take - not just because of the athleticism, but because it came from a guy who spends his Sundays torching corners, not playing like one.
It wasn’t just a flashy moment. It was a statement.
Chase is one of the best athletes in the NFL, period. And when he wants to make a play, it doesn’t matter what position he’s playing - he’s going to make it.
A Glimpse of What Could Be
Watching Burrow, Chase, and Higgins light it up on a national stage was a treat for fans - especially those in Cincinnati. It was also a reminder of what this Bengals core is capable of when healthy and clicking. The chemistry, the talent, the swagger - it’s all there.
The Pro Bowl isn’t supposed to be intense. But with these three on the field, it felt like more than a casual runaround. It felt like a team with something to prove, even in a game that doesn’t count.
And maybe that’s the takeaway. The Bengals have the pieces. They’ve got a quarterback who can take over a game, a pair of wideouts who can beat anyone, and a team identity that’s built around explosive plays and competitive fire.
What happens next in Cincinnati will depend on how the front office approaches this offseason. But if the Pro Bowl was any indication, the foundation is still as strong - and as electrifying - as ever.
Who Dey, indeed.