Browns had two Pro Bowl quarterbacks but the NFL’s worst passing offense

The Pro Bowl has become less of a celebration and more of a punchline. What used to be a weekend honoring top performers now reads like a checklist of convenience picks, meaningless exhibitions and risk-filled exhibitions that do little to reward true on-field excellence.

With recent roster announcements, the gap between achievement and recognition feels wider than ever. One or two headline selections are exposing fundamental problems with how the NFL markets — and rewards — its stars, and Cleveland’s chaotic quarterback room this season makes the mismatch impossible to ignore.

Why the Pro Bowl Weekend Feels Broken and Outdated

Fans used to tune in for a showcase of the league’s best. Now, the event struggles to draw attention, team rosters are full of players who decline to attend, and the on-field product rarely resembles competitive football. The league risks turning a once-proud annual ritual into a marketing exercise that satisfies neither players nor viewers.

Part of the problem is incentive: top players often skip jetting to an all-star game, and replacements are named more for name recognition than merit. Add in coaches limiting physical contact and viewers are left with an exhibition that neither reflects the season’s best performances nor provides compelling entertainment.

Shedeur Sanders’ Selection Sparks Questions About Merit and Metrics

One of the most contentious recent additions to the Pro Bowl roster is Shedeur Sanders. By traditional box-score and advanced metrics, his season was far from a standout. In several analytics systems he ranked near the bottom of qualifying quarterbacks in EPA per play, and his touchdown-to-interception ratio failed to impress.

Supporters point to context — a struggling Cleveland offense, ineffective pass protection and limited weapons. Those are real factors. But context doesn’t erase costly turnovers or poor throws that repeatedly set the offense back. For many observers, his inclusion feels closer to a headline grab than an earned honor. He shouldn’t be listed among the league’s top quarterbacks this season, and that perception fuels broader frustration with how Pro Bowl selections are made.

When Name Recognition Outpaces Season Performance: Joe Flacco’s Case

Joe Flacco also ended up on the Pro Bowl list, a pick that illustrates the tension between past reputation and present play. Flacco has a Super Bowl ring and a long NFL resume, but this season his contributions were more in line with a veteran backup than an all-star starter. His inclusion highlights a recurring issue: voters and selectors sometimes default to familiar names rather than objectively weighing current-season production.

That approach undermines the credibility of honors and creates media narratives that feel more amusing than meaningful — especially when those honored did not move the needle for their teams.

The Browns’ Quarterback Room: A Trophy Shelf That Didn’t Translate to Wins

Cleveland used a rotating cast of signal-callers this year, and the list of individual accomplishments attached to that group reads like a sports trivia question. Despite those accolades, the Browns finished with one of the least productive passing offenses in the league. The contrast between individual resumes and team outcomes became impossible to ignore.

• Joe Flacco: Multiple Pro Bowl nods in his career and a Super Bowl title.
• Shedeur Sanders: Named a Pro Bowler this season despite mixed analytics.
• Deshaun Watson: Several Pro Bowl selections in his résumé.
• Kenny Pickett: Has experience on rosters that reached the NFL’s biggest stage as a backup.
• Tyler Huntley: Earned recognition as a Pro Bowl replacement in past years.
• Dillon Gabriel: College passing leader in career touchdown passes.
• Bailey Zappe: Once led the NCAA in single-season passing yards and touchdowns.

Stacked together, those credentials should have suggested a competent, adaptable passing attack. Instead, Cleveland posted one of the league’s weakest aerial outputs. That disconnect points to issues beyond quarterbacking alone — coaching, scheme fit, offensive line play and receiver play all matter — but it also underscores how trophy-based narratives can mask real performance gaps.

Practical Alternatives the League Could Try

There are several options the NFL could explore that would preserve recognition while removing the low-stakes gameplay that undercuts the event’s value. Ideas include:

• A formal awards ceremony for Pro Bowl selections and statistical leaders, removing the competitive game entirely.
• Fan-facing events and skills showcases that limit contact and encourage participation from top stars.
• Skills-based competitions — precision passing, route-running drills, or quarterback accuracy contests — broadcast as highlight-driven content.
• Replacing the game with community outreach and fan meet-and-greets, which would reduce injury risk and increase player goodwill.

Any of these approaches would shift the focus back to celebrating individual performances without forcing elite players into a low-quality exhibition that risks injury and does little for viewer engagement.

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John Davis

John Davis is a sports journalist focused on the NBA, NFL, and major global championships. With seven years of live coverage, he breaks down performances and key strategies. His expertise gives you a clear view of every game and its impact.