Jan 19, 2025; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills running back James Cook (4) runs the ball against Baltimore Ravens safety Ar'Darius Washington (29) during the fourth quarter in a 2025 AFC divisional round game at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-Imagn Images

Bills’ James Cook replaces Derrick Henry on Pro Bowl roster

Buffalo Bills running back James Cook is headed to the Pro Bowl Games as a replacement for Baltimore Ravens star Derrick Henry.

The Bills also announced Tuesday that Buffalo center Connor McGovern is going to the event in Orlando, Fla.

McGovern is taking the spot of Creed Humphrey of the Kansas City Chiefs. Humphrey has other plans as the Chiefs prepare for Super Bowl LIX against the Philadelphia Eagles.

The Pro Bowl Games will take place on Thursday (7-8:30 p.m. ET) and Sunday (3-6 p.m. ET).

Cook and McGovern saw their bid to reach Super Bowl LIX come to a halt when the Chiefs posted a 32-29 win over the visiting Bills on Sunday. They will join Buffalo teammates Josh Allen and Dion Dawkins on the AFC roster.

No reason was given for Henry opting out of the Pro Bowl.

Cook, 25, is venturing to the Pro Bowl for the second straight year after matching the franchise record with 16 rushing touchdowns this season. The total tied Henry and Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs for the league lead.

McGovern, 27, started all 16 games in which he has played this season. He is making a Pro Bowl appearance for the first time in his career.

–Field Level Media

Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. (7) reacts to his first down pickup during the second quarter of an NFL football matchup Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024 at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]

Jags WR Brian Thomas Jr. replaces Zay Flowers on Pro Bowl roster

Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. received recognition for his strong rookie season on Thursday.

Thomas was named a finalist for the AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award and also was added to the AFC Pro Bowl roster. He also was named to replace Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers on a Pro Bowl roster that also includes Jaguars long snapper Ross Matiscik and punter Logan Cooke.

Flowers withdrew from the exhibition event in Orlando due to a knee injury that prevented him from competing for his team in the playoffs.

Thomas, 22, recorded 87 catches for 1,282 yards and 10 touchdowns in 17 games (16 starts) since being selected by the Jaguars with the 23rd overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft.

In addition to Thomas, Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers, Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels, New York wide receiver Malik Nabers and Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix were named as finalists for the AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award.

–Field Level Media

Dec 25, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA;  Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) makes a catch against Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Donte Jackson (26) during the first quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

Chiefs TE Travis Kelce tops Pro Bowl fan voting

Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce narrowly beat out Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs as the fans’ top vote-getter for the 2025 Pro Bowl Games on Feb. 2 in Orlando.

Amid another strong season for the AFC’s No. 1 seed, Kelce totaled 252,200 votes when balloting ended on Dec. 23, just ahead of Gibbs (252,082).

Following Gibbs were a trio of quarterbacks — the Washington Commanders’ Jayden Daniels (242,352), the Cincinnati Bengals’ Joe Burrow (239,526) and the Lions’ Jared Goff (225,858).

NFL Network’s “Good Morning Football” will reveal the rosters for the AFC and NFC on Thursday.

Gibbs and Goff helped the Lions — who have a chance to clinch the NFC’s No. 1 seed Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings — finish first among all NFL teams in total votes, ahead of the Vikings, Commanders, Philadelphia Eagles and Pittsburgh Steelers.

Along with the fan votes, players and coaches also have a say in the makeup of the rosters. Players and coaches had a Dec. 27 deadline to submit their ballots.

The Pro Bowl Games, which culminate in a flag football game led by head coaches Peyton Manning (AFC) and Eli Manning (NFC), will air on Feb. 2 from 3-6 p.m. ET on ESPN and ABC.

A Pro Bowl Skills Show will be held on Jan. 30 from 7-8:30 p.m. ET in a made-for-TV event on ESPN. NFL stars will display their skills and competitiveness in unique competitions on and off the field.

–Field Level Media

Feb 2, 2024; Orlando, FL, USA; The Pro Bowl Games logo on the Camping World Stadium facade. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

NFC defeats AFC 64-59 at Pro Bowl Games

Baker Mayfield’s fourth-quarter touchdown pass to Jahmyr Gibbs turned out to be the winning play as the NFC defeated the AFC 64-59 at the Pro Bowl Games on Sunday in Orlando, Fla.

The NFC had a 12-6 lead after Thursday’s skills competitions and had just enough cushion to withstand C.J. Stroud and the AFC team in flag football to conclude the multi-day event.

After the touchdown by Gibbs, the Detroit Lions running back, both defenses combined to pull out a series of stops. Stroud’s last-ditch pass to Keenan Allen in the end zone was broken up.

Standout Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker won three points for the AFC in “Kick-Tac-Toe,” which saw him and Dallas Cowboys kicker Brandon Aubrey take turns kicking into a tic-tac-toe matrix built between goalposts.

The NFC, however, piled up points with victories in several other competitions, including a “Madden NFL” video game event, “Best Catch” and a tug-of-war.

That allowed the Eli Manning-captained NFC team to withstand the Peyton Manning-coached AFC team in flag football. The AFC outscored the NFC 50-34 in flag football, yet it fell five points short of the overall victory.

Allen, the veteran Los Angeles Chargers receiver, caught nine passes for 90 yards and three touchdowns. He also completed a touchdown pass on a trick play. Stroud of the Houston Texans, Tua Tagovailoa of the Miami Dolphins and Gardner Minshew of the Indianapolis Colts completed two touchdown passes apiece.

Seattle’s Geno Smith had two touchdowns and three interceptions. Tampa Bay’s Mayfield added two touchdowns. Amon-Ra St. Brown (Detroit) caught 10 balls for 117 yards and a touchdown, and CeeDee Lamb (Dallas) caught three touchdowns.

–Field Level Media

Feb 5, 2023; Paradise, Nevada, USA; AFC receiver Stefon Diggs of the Buffalo Bills (14) carries the ball against NFC strong safety Budda Baker of the Arizona Cardinals (3) and linebacker Demario Davis of the New Orleans Saints (56) during the Pro Bowl Games at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Tug-of-war added to Pro Bowl Games skills event

The tug-of-war will make its debut in the 2024 Pro Bowl Games skills competitions, the NFL announced.

The Pro Bowl Skills Show will take place in the Nicholson Fieldhouse at UCF in Orlando, Fla.

Teams of five players representing both the AFC and NFC will compete in a best-of-three format. This league’s intent is likely to capture the attention of the offensive linemen, who may not be as willing to participate in the flag-football competition.

The tug-of-war will join “Madden NFL” head-to-head, gridiron gauntlet and move the chains events (offensive, defensive linemen strength and speed competition) is slated for Feb. 4.

Precision passing, best catch, closest to the pin, high stakes, dodgeball and a kick-tac-toe kicking competition are scheduled for Feb. 1.

–Field Level Media

Dec 24, 2022; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA;  Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens (14) warms up before the game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Steelers’ George Pickens on Pro Bowl: ‘Feel like I got snubbed’

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens is setting the bar high for the upcoming season following a successful rookie campaign.

“Year 2 goals are Pro Bowl, and I feel like last year I feel like I got snubbed,” Pickens told College2Pro.com. “Cause there wasn’t a lot of guys in there at the Pro Bowl that excited me. Then the Super Bowl. The two bowls. A lot of RAC, run after catch. Two bowls for sure.”

Pickens, 22, recorded 52 catches for 801 yards and four touchdowns after being selected by the Steelers in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft out of Georgia.

He ranked fourth in the NFL among rookie wideouts in both receptions and receiving yards, well behind NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Garrett Wilson (83 catches, 1,103 yards) of the New York Jets. Like Pickens, Wilson also didn’t get selected to the Pro Bowl.

The AFC’s wideouts in the Pro Bowl were Tyreek Hill (Miami Dolphins), Stefon Diggs (Buffalo Bills), Davante Adams (Las Vegas Raiders) and Ja’Marr Chase (Cincinnati Bengals).

–Field Level Media

Jan 8, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA;  Cleveland Browns defensiven end Myles Garrett (95) before playing the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Philip G. Pavely-USA TODAY Sports

Browns DE Myles Garrett dislocates toe in Pro Bowl Games

Taking tackling out of the equation did not prevent all injuries at the inaugural Pro Bowl Games.

Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett limped off the field during one of Sunday’s flag football games in Las Vegas, and the team later confirmed reports that Garrett had dislocated his toe.

X-rays on the toe came back negative, the Browns added. It was unclear how long the injury would sideline Garrett as the offseason gets under way.

The former No. 1 overall draft pick in 2017 was a Pro Bowl selection for the fourth time. In 16 games (15 starts) in the 2022 season, Garrett racked up 16 sacks (matching his career high), two forced fumbles and 60 total tackles.

–Field Level Media

Dec 18, 2022; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) and Raiders head coach Josh McDaniels celebrate after the Raiders defeated the New England Patriots 30-24 at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

Derek Carr digs at Raiders, helps AFC grab lead at Pro Bowl Games

Derek Carr had a parting shot for the Las Vegas Raiders as he helped the AFC take a 9-3 lead at the inaugural Pro Bowl Games skills competition on Thursday night in Las Vegas.

The “reimagined” Pro Bowl festivities got underway in prime time with Peyton Manning and Eli Manning captaining the AFC and NFC rosters, respectively. Four events were completed Thursday, each worth three points.

In the first event, “Precision Passing,” three quarterbacks from each conference took aim at targets under a time limit, including one five-point target hanging from a moving drone.

Carr, the last quarterback to take his turn, racked up 31 points to power the AFC to a 71-55 win over the NFC.

ESPN analyst Ryan Clark asked the Raiders veteran if he had ever gotten that hot in Las Vegas before.

“Not that hot,” Carr said. “That’s probably why I’m going somewhere else.”

It was perceived as a dig at the Raiders, the only NFL team he’s ever played for, who benched him with two games left in the 2022 regular season before they had been eliminated from playoff contention. Carr wrote a goodbye letter to Raiders fans in January, with the expectation that he would be released or traded this winter.

The AFC won an event called “Lightning Round” that featured a series of three games primarily for offensive and defensive linemen.

After a water balloon toss whittled the teams down, several for each conference advanced to “High Stakes,” in which the big men tried to field as many punts as they could while holding onto each football they caught.

Two players from each side advanced to the final event: Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson (who caught four punts), Cleveland Browns guard Joel Bitonio, Dallas Cowboys center Tyler Biadasz and New Orleans Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan.

Hendrickson then won the three points for the AFC in “Thrill of the Spill,” a knockoff dunk tank setup that saw Hendrickson’s lob pass hit a target to dump confetti onto Eli Manning.

Some portions of the event were pre-recorded, including a “Best Catch” contest that showed four participants create high-difficulty catches in landmarks around Las Vegas. Fans will vote on whether Stefon Diggs of the Buffalo Bills or Pat Surtain II of the Denver Broncos will represent the AFC in Sunday’s final, as well as choosing between Minnesota Vikings star Justin Jefferson and Detroit Lions receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown for the NFC finalist.

Also pre-recorded was a long-drive contest that helped the AFC take a 9-0 lead. Bills safety Jordan Poyer hit a 320-yard drive on the final swing of the event, surpassing Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson’s 316-yarder to win.

The NFC avoided being blanked for the night by beating the AFC in a dodgeball showdown.

Each conference fielded two teams of six, and the AFC defense defeated the AFC offense in one semifinal while the NFC offense beat the NFC defense in the other. In the finals, the NFC offense cruised to victory, ganging up on the AFC’s last man standing, Pittsburgh Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick.

The conclusion of the event Sunday afternoon will feature a flag football competition in place of what used to be a full 11-on-11 exhibition.

–Field Level Media

Dec 18, 2022; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) gestures against the New England Patriots in the first half at Allegiant Stadium. The Raiders defeated the Patriots 30-24. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Raiders QB Derek Carr not permitted to seek trade

The Las Vegas Raiders have not granted quarterback Derek Carr permission to speak to potential trade partners, multiple outlets reported.

The Raiders have to trade or cut their all-time leading passer before Feb. 15, the date his $32.9 million base salary for 2023 and another $7.5 million for 2024 become fully guaranteed.

Carr, 31, has veto power over any trade.

The Raiders benched him for the final two games of the 2022 regular season in favor of Jarrett Stidham. Carr then left the team, with permission, to avoid being a distraction. He tweeted a farewell message to Raiders fans on Jan. 12: “Raider Nation it breaks my heart I didn’t get an opportunity to say goodbye in person.”

Carr apparently will get that chance this week at the Pro Bowl Games in Las Vegas. He announced on Tuesday that he had been named as a replacement for the showcase, his fourth Pro Bowl selection.

“Well… maybe this invitation got lost in the mail from past seasons but I’m going back to pro bowl #4,” he posted on Twitter. “See you soon Vegas!”

A trade would appear to be beneficial to both parties. The Raiders could land a draft pick or a veteran player in return for the nine-year starter, while Carr could get to hand-pick his landing spot.

So what’s the hangup? The Athletic speculated that the Raiders “might be concerned” that Carr’s agent, Tim Younger, would rather work out a free-agent deal for his client than help out with trade terms. Younger declined comment for that story.

Carr completed 60.8 percent of his passes for 3,522 yards with 24 touchdowns and 14 interceptions in 15 games this season. He is the franchise’s all-time leader in passing yards (35,222) and touchdowns (217).

–Field Level Media

Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Germaine Pratt (57) tackles Buffalo Bills tight end Dawson Knox (88) in the fourth quarter during an NFL divisional playoff football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2023, at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, N.Y.Cincinnati Bengals At Buffalo Bills Afc Divisional Jan 22 1397

Three Bills players added to Pro Bowl roster

Three additional Buffalo Bills players were added to the Pro Bowl roster Monday as replacements.

Left tackle Dion Dawkins and tight end Dawson Knox are replacing Orlando Brown and Travis Kelce of the Super Bowl-bound Kansas City Chiefs.

Left guard Rodger Saffold replaces Indianapolis Colts left guard Quenton Nelson, who is unable to participate due to an injury.

It is the second straight Pro Bowl appearance for Dawkins and Saffold and the first for Knox.

Dawkins started 15 games, Saffold started 16 in his first season with Buffalo, and Knox caught 48 passes for 517 yards and six touchdowns in 15 starts.

The reinvented Pro Bowl Games, including a flag football contest, will take place from Thursday through Sunday in Las Vegas.

–Field Level Media