Pro Bowl desperately reaches for attention with selection of Shedeur Sanders

Sanders wasn't even named a 2025 OROY finalist. The former Colorado Buffaloes star assumed the starting role after a 24-10 Week 12 win over the Las Vegas Raiders but finished 3-4 as the starter. In eight games, he completed a below-average 56.6 percent of his passes for 1,400 yards, seven touchdown passes and 10 interceptions. The Browns finished 5-12. 

Injuries to other AFC QBs opened the door for Sanders' Pro Bowl nod. Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes tore the ACL in his left knee in a 16-13 Week 15 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. Broncos QB Bo Nix — who tied for ninth in the league in TD passes (25) in the regular season — broke his right ankle in a 33-30 loss to the Buffalo Bills in the divisional round.

The league still could've picked another QB, perhaps Lamar Jackson (Baltimore Ravens), who threw 21 TD passes during the regular season. However, including Sanders instead of a two-time league MVP will generate more controversy, which could improve TV ratings.

Shedeur Sanders may help the Pro Bowl draw a bigger audience

It's no secret that the Pro Bowl's popularity has waned in recent years. The NFL has rebooted the game to help it regain its appeal among fans, changing it from tackle football to flag football in 2023, but that hasn't worked. The 2025 Pro Bowl Games reportedly drew 4.7 million viewers, an 18 percent decrease from 5.8 million in 2024.   

The selection of Sanders may entice more fans to watch the Pro Bowl, scheduled for Feb. 3 in San Francisco. Coverage will begin at 6:30 p.m. ET on ESPN, with the game airing at 8 p.m. ET. 

Sanders, of course, is the son of Colorado Buffaloes head coach/Pro Football Hall of Famer Deion, making him a lightning rod. That said, choosing him to generate headlines shows how the Pro Bowl is already fading into obscurity.