SBK Edge Rush: What’s not to love about the new-look Pro Bowl?

The Pro-Bowl should be compelling and entertaining viewing, right?

The NFL’s all-star game, which features the best players of the season as voted for by their contemporaries and latterly fans, is an accolade that’s routinely namechecked in context of individual success. It’s hard enough getting to the NFL, but you’re doing something right if you can build a viable career and emerge as one of the top talents according to your peers. 

So why has the annual game, which is held the weekend before the Super Bowl, become so derided? Why does the NFL, which gets so much right in marketing and elevating its product, seem to keep misfiring with it? And will this year’s change in structure make any difference? 

Old format became stale

There are multiple reasons for the Pro Bowl’s lack of shine in recent years compared to rival leagues, particularly the NBA and MLB. 

Firstly, timing is critical. The existing slot a week before the Super Bowl has its pros and cons. Fans are desperate for some more ball after a relentless and action-packed regular season and playoff schedule, and the cold turkey shakes means hardened football fans will pretty much watch anything. 

But, unlike the NBA or MLB All Star games - which roll mid-season - there’s nothing on the line. There's a summer holiday vibe about the whole thing, a lack of edge and it can be compared to an exhibition game between Liverpool and Real Madrid in high summer that’s given some superficial trophy incentive like “The Star Cup”. 

Indeed, the MLB’s canny adjustment to make its All-Star game count - whoever wins between the American League and the National League secures an edge for its representative in the World Series in the form of Game 7 home-field advantage - is not replicated by the Pro Bowl. 

There’s a reason for baseball players to step up, a vested interest for the fans, and its peak (mid) season levels lead to a real game. In the Pro Bowl, players arrive banged up, exhausted after a long grind and, in some cases, disappointed after a playoff exit. As there’s nothing in it for them, other than the paycheck, why put their neck on the line? 

Back in the day, before riches drenched elite sports, the Hawaii-hosted Pro-Bowl proved a useful extra payday for many players who would have second jobs in the off season. Families would be flown out for a nice bit of sun and players valued the experience. 

These days a Pro Bowl nod is useful for contract incentive activations and overall league status, but it has lost much of the allure of the hard-earned vacation when many will fire up their private jet and head to a six-star hotel in Dubai or Lake Como for the next few months. 

The contact element - and risk of injury - has meant that many players bypass the Pro Bowl and allow third or fourth choices into the event. This issue is accentuated by the Super Bowl timing – obviously Patrick Mahomes and Jalen Hurts, the two front runners for MVP and first choices for the AFC and NFC teams respectively, won’t be taking part as they have, well, more important things on their mind. Alternates are called up – good players, sure - but unlike the All-Pro list, which is a definitive best of the best line-up, the Pro Bowl is invariably diluted. 

A whole new world

It sounds like the Pro Bowl is quickly losing its appeal, right? Well, hold your horses. The NFL has decided to mix it up this year in an attempt to make the Pro Bowl, well, vaguely interesting. Gone is the “contact” game, which was that in name only as there were barely any tackles made and it was played at a pace that made you think you’ve accidentally hit the half speed button on the remote. 

Replacing it are flag football games – think a sandlot vibe with trickery and hi-jinks galore – and developing skills contests that include Dodgeball (love!), something crazy involving water balloons and a game called Kick Tac Toe, which finally gives kickers the love and respect they deserve. 

Frankly, this is a genius move by the NFL. Forget the half-assed, 50% scrimmage lite. Instead, re-instil the core values of past Pro-Bowls while adding a nice dose of nonsense, and primetime family mess-about. What’s not to love? 

I will be glued to it while taking some betting action on the basis that it’s the sporting equivalent of ‘highest card wins’. Saying that, I’ll be backing Justin Tucker in that kickers game!

Over on our SBK Edge Rush podcast, which can be heard here, we’ve made our favourite bets - AKA our ‘Drew Locks of the Week’.