NFL ends Pro Bowl Games
Jan 30, 2025; Orlando, FL, USA; AFC wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase of the Cincinnati Bengals (1) during the Pro Bowl Skills Challenge at Nicholson Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | USA TODAY Sports via Reuters ConThe NFL finally waved goodbye to the Pro Bowl Games on Wednesday, as the league announced it would no longer hold its annual skills competition.
This was a long time coming, as the annual all-star event had continued to lose interest over the years. It was once a major event that was effectively a real football game played among the NFL's best. But over the years, it became lighter and lighter due to player safety, eventually becoming nothing more than a glorified flag football game.
Then that was also scrapped in favor of a skills competition spread across several days. Still, viewership continued to dwindle, so it's not too surprising to see it finally get the axe.
The league will still have Pro Bowl selections and a voting process that fans can be part of. That means Bengals fans could still see guys like Joe Burrow, Ja'Marr Chase, and Dexter Lawrence earn Pro Bowl honors. There just won't be any games or skill competitions taking place.
Farewell, old friend.