NFL Pro Bowl Weekend Adding New Competitions For 2024

For years now, fans have been wondering why the NFL continues to put on the Pro Bowl weekend.  So, the NFL has been trying to change things up to keep their attention.

The Pro Bowl used to be something that fans loved to watch

Pro Bowl weekend was a weekend where we would get to see the biggest stars all together in one place.  They would get a trip to Hawaii and we would get an interesting weekend with some of the biggest names in the league. But then as injuries became a concern and the players started to play a little easier to protect themselves in a game that really didn't matter, the game itself became a little less interesting.

Then, after 2009, they changed the Pro Bowl to take place before the Super Bowl.  So many of the players who were playing in the Super Bowl would turn it down to make sure they didn't get hurt.

Needless to say, it became less and less interesting to watch and as alternate players got called to fill in for some of the NFL's best, it became less of an honor for the players too.

The NFL is doing its best to make changes

Injury is still a major concern.  Having the players play in the Pro Bowl is a risky decision.  The last thing anyone wants is to get injured in a game that doesn't matter.  So in 2022, the NFL decided to do away with the big full-contact game and instead, feature a lighthearted fun flag football game.  They made the entire weekend a "skills competition" type of weekend so that we could still see what our favorite players could do and minimize the chance of injury.

This year, they've added even more competitions

Last year the Buffalo Bills sent 7 players to represent at the Pro Bowl.  They included Dawson Knox, Roger Saffold, Mitch Morse, Dion Dawkins, Stefon Diggs, Matt Milano, and Jordan Poyer.  Josh Allen was invited to participate but turned it down.  They participated in competitions like Best Catch, Closest to the Pin, Splash Catch, Dodge Ball, and more.  While many of those are back, they've added some new ones to the mix too.

Is it enough to make you watch?

Personally, I love the skills competitions.  But I just prefer to see the skills that pertain to football.  I love that they have kickers kicking a tic-tac-toe game.  I love that they have best catches and quarterback precision plays.  I'm not real sure why they do the golf competition as part of the weekend.  If they want to play golf, let them.  It doesn't have to be part of the Pro Bowl weekend.

What do you think?  Do you have a better option for Pro Bowl weekend?