9 ways to fix the NFL Pro Bowl

The Pro Bowl has been a fledgling exhibition for a couple of decades, but it doesn’t have to be that way. Collecting the best the NFL has to offer in one setting should still be exciting for fans and top-tier players. Here are some things we think the NFL should implement to help to spice up a showcase that, quite frankly, could use shot of energy.

The NFL usually announces the winners of its major awards the Thursday before the Super Bowl, and adopts a classic awards show presentation for this. However, we think it might be a better idea to have these honors bestowed on players as they are with their peers at the Pro Bowl. This might help bump up the ratings for both endeavors.

The NFL has always been in a difficult spot with their annual All-Star game, as it cannot reasonably be played in the middle of the season like other sports’ tilts. With that said, it’s still unfortunate that players who are participating in the Super Bowl cannot be a part of the Pro Bowl. Super Bowl teams usually have multiple players who were named to the Pro Bowl, as well.

The biggest reason why players stopped trying in the Pro Bowl was fear of injury in a meaningless game, which is a reasonable concern. We think the NFL should take dramatic steps to compensate players and teams should that unfortunate reality take place, so players can play hard. For example, any team that has a player suffer a major injury in the Pro Bowl will be given a third-round draft pick.

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It can be enjoyable to watch NFL players operate in non-traditional football settings, but it’s also not why fans appreciate them. Glorifying dodgeball games between running backs and linebackers isn’t exactly a way to create relevant long-lasting memories. Sticking with competitions that are involved in the sport they play professionally is a better way to go.

The NFL has moved away from a traditional football game and into flag football competitions, which is a respectable pivot. They could continue this format, but could also be more creative with variations of the regular game fans come to know and love. Maybe different scoring or flexible rules can be allowed for the Pro Bowl.

This is a popular gimmick used amongst fantasy football managers, and there’s no reason why professional athletes can’t use it too. It would be amusing to see players on the losing side do something they’re not looking forward to. There could be three embarrassing options that the winning team can force the losing team to do.

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The NFL does televise its skills competition, which is an entertaining spectacle pitting the best against the best. However, the event does not permit fans to be present, which feels like a mistake. Watching professionals make plays under pressure is part of what makes sports great, and supporters bring energy to an atmosphere and a broadcast.

Sports fans have become accustomed to sit-down interviews between legends long after their careers have ended, but a natural pairing of stars at the Pro Bowl could also make for some interesting content. Maybe two wide receivers can chat about how they avoid jams at the line of scrimmage, or two edge rushers can talk about their best moves to get into the backfield.

The NFL has wisely involved Peyton and Eli Manning in as many things as they possibly can in recent years, but could also do more to bring other Hall of Famers back to the field. The NFL has always done a great job of keeping the past alive, and watching Sauce Gardner interact with Deion Sanders, for example, could be a cool narrative for older and younger fans to enjoy.

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