NFL phases out Pro Bowl game format after player consultation

The NFL will discontinue its standalone Pro Bowl game after consulting with prominent players, including Jalen Hurts. The league plans to honor 88 players as Pro Bowlers, inviting them to a celebration in Los Angeles in February without featuring alternates. This decision reflects players' wishes to enhance the significance of the Pro Bowl designation amid changes in recent years that blurred its meaning due to numerous replacements. The selection process will remain unchanged, allowing fans, players, and coaches to vote, but future selections will be final without additional designations for injuries or Super Bowl participation. The NFL aims to preserve the individual recognition associated with Pro Bowl status while discontinuing the game format that began in 1951.

• 9:44 PMYahoo Sports — NFL ends Pro Bowl game after consulting Jalen Hurts and other stars