The Green Bay Packers will head into Pro Bowl weekend without a single player representing the team-at least, not as of now. While last-minute additions are always a possibility, the Packers are currently shut out from the NFL’s annual all-star showcase.
Elsewhere, roster shakeups have dominated the Pro Bowl conversation. As is tradition, a number of original selections have bowed out-some due to injuries, others because they’re preparing for the Super Bowl and understandably won’t risk injury in a glorified exhibition. That’s opened the door for replacements, and one in particular is drawing plenty of attention.
Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders has been named to the AFC Pro Bowl roster, stepping in for New England’s Drake Maye, whose Patriots are headed to the Super Bowl. On paper, Sanders’ selection is raising eyebrows-and not without reason.
His rookie campaign was a rough ride: a 56.6% completion rate, 1,400 passing yards, seven touchdowns, and 10 interceptions, culminating in a 68.1 passer rating. Those numbers don’t exactly scream “Pro Bowl caliber,” and fans have taken notice.
So have former players. Shawne Merriman, a three-time Pro Bowler and one of the most feared defenders of his era, didn’t hold back in his reaction. Taking to social media, Merriman shared his frustration with what he sees as the Pro Bowl’s declining standards:
“I have a Pro Bowl helmet that I walk by almost every day. It’s signed by some of the best players in the history of the NFL, legends, Hall of Famers, and real GOATs.
The Pro Bowl used to be a badge of honor and respected. Things have changed.”
David Bakhtiari, a three-time Pro Bowl offensive tackle and longtime cornerstone of the Packers’ offensive line, echoed Merriman’s sentiment. He responded, saying:
“Welcome @shawnemerriman. I learned first-hand that the #ProBowlGames had become a pageant.”
Their frustration taps into a broader conversation about what the Pro Bowl has become. Once a coveted honor that marked a player as one of the best at their position, the event now feels to many like a popularity contest mixed with a scheduling puzzle. With top-tier talent opting out and replacements being named based on availability rather than performance, the prestige of the Pro Bowl has taken a hit.
That’s not to say every replacement is undeserving-injuries and Super Bowl absences are part of the equation every year-but when a rookie quarterback with a statistically underwhelming season gets the nod, it’s fair to ask what the selection criteria really are.
For Packers fans, the lack of representation this year may sting, especially after a season that saw the team show flashes of promise. But the bigger story might be what the Pro Bowl is turning into: a weekend of entertainment that’s drifting further from its roots as a celebration of elite performance.
As for Sanders, he’ll have a chance to share the field with some of the game’s biggest names. Whether he views this as a stepping stone or simply a fortunate opportunity remains to be seen.
But one thing’s clear-the conversation around the Pro Bowl isn’t about the game anymore. It’s about what the game represents.
And right now, that’s a question without a clear answer.