Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow will participate in his first Pro Bowl appearance Thursday night in the skills competition in Orlando, Florida. The NFL leader in passing yards this season had been voted in twice before but declined due to injury concerns.
Several other quarterbacks have opted out of participating, including Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen, who suffered hand injuries during deep playoff runs. Houston Texans’ C.J. Stroud also declined to fill in as an alternate, while Denver Broncos’ Bo Nix passed on the opportunity due to a back injury.
The skills competition will take place at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN, while the flag game is scheduled for 3 p.m. ET on Sunday on ESPN, ABC, and ESPN+. NFL executive vice president of club business, international, and league events Peter O’Reilly attributes the high fan interest to the revamped format, which prioritizes entertainment and personality over physical competition.
The event has seen a significant increase in attendance since its inception in 2023, with average attendance averaging 57,020. Orlando officials have expressed their enthusiasm for hosting the game again this year, citing the success of previous events in Las Vegas.
“The Pro Bowl’s local impact is critical,” said Citrus Sports CEO Steve Hogan. “We’re home to a lot of major events and conventions, and these events help our economy.” The event is expected to generate around $45 million in economic impact for the community.
League officials are also pleased with television ratings, which have nearly tripled the average ratings for the 2024 Stanley Cup Finals. Player feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with satisfaction levels rising sharply since the league transitioned to a flag-football-centric format.
Source: https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/43613727/nfl-pro-bowl-games-joe-burrow-skills-competition