With the 2026 Pro Bowl set to kick off next Tuesday in San Francisco, the buzz surrounding the NFL’s annual all-star showcase feels more like a low hum. And that hum turned into a collective groan earlier this week when two unexpected names were added to the AFC roster: rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders and veteran Joe Flacco.
Let’s start with Sanders, the Cleveland Browns’ first-year signal-caller and former Colorado standout. His numbers from the regular season don’t exactly scream Pro Bowl material - a 56.6% completion rate, 1,400 yards, seven touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. But in a year where many top quarterbacks bowed out due to injury, playoff runs, or personal choice, Sanders got the nod.
“Thank you God. I’m beyond excited and extremely grateful for all the love and support from the coaches, players, and fans,” Sanders said in a statement.
“This wouldn’t be possible without the support behind me. Still plenty of work to do.”
That work, clearly, includes turning raw potential into production. Sanders showed flashes of promise in Cleveland, but his Pro Bowl selection is more a reflection of the league’s shrinking pool of available quarterbacks than a reward for a breakout season. Still, for a rookie, it’s a confidence boost and a chance to be around some of the league’s best - even if the roster this year feels more like a patchwork than a dream team.
Then came the announcement that Joe Flacco would also be heading to the Pro Bowl. Yes, that Joe Flacco - the 41-year-old journeyman who split time between the Browns and Bengals this season.
He played in 13 games, throwing for 2,479 yards, 15 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. Solid numbers for a midseason plug-in, but not exactly what you’d expect from a Pro Bowl quarterback.
Here’s the twist: despite a long NFL career that includes over 48,000 passing yards and a Super Bowl MVP, Flacco has never made the Pro Bowl - not even during his 2012 championship run with the Ravens. So in a strange way, this nod feels like a career achievement award more than anything else.
But not everyone is celebrating. Fans took to social media in droves, voicing their frustration with the current state of the Pro Bowl.
“Just cancel this embarrassment,” one fan posted. “If we are at the point of putting anybody in, just cancel the Pro Bowl.”
Another chimed in: “Bro what is the Pro Bowl at this point?” And the sentiment was echoed by many: “Pretty please just get rid of the Pro Bowl.”
“What a joke Pro Bowl has become,” another added.
It’s not hard to see where the frustration is coming from. The Pro Bowl has long struggled to strike a balance between honoring top talent and dealing with the reality that many of the league’s biggest stars opt out - whether due to injuries, Super Bowl prep, or simply lack of interest. That leaves the door open for replacements who, while deserving in their own right for stepping up during the season, don’t always carry the star power fans expect.
Still, for players like Sanders and Flacco, it’s an opportunity. For Sanders, it’s a chance to soak in the atmosphere and learn from veterans. For Flacco, it’s a long-overdue recognition in the twilight of a storied career.
So, will fans tune in on February 3? That’s the million-dollar question. The Pro Bowl has become less about the game itself and more about the celebration of the sport - a weekend of skills competitions, player interactions, and lighter moments before the Super Bowl spotlight takes over.
But if the league wants to restore the Pro Bowl’s credibility, it may need to rethink how selections are made - and more importantly, how the game fits into the modern NFL calendar. Because right now, fans are watching, but not necessarily with excitement.