Sam Greene/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Not only are current NFL fans fuming about the NFL’s decision to add Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders to the Pro Bowl roster, but it’s got former NFL players doing a ‘back in my day’ routine, with former players like Tyrann Mathieu and Ndamukong Suh deciding to speak out.
While the Pro Bowl — at least for as long as I’ve been a conscious adult who cares about football, which is about 20 years — had never been the pinnacle of pro football that some might think it should be, there’s no denying that it’s completely cannibalized itself in recent years.
Not only was this year’s game the fourth year of it being a flag football contest, but the NFL’s process of selecting players has seemingly damaged its prestige, too, with the final straw apparently being Shedeur Sanders’ selection to the AFC’s roster this year.
Former NFL players such as Tyrann Mathieu and Ndamukong Suh have taken shots at the NFL for naming Shedeur Sanders to the Pro Bowl
“Making the Pro Bowl used to be way different! You really had to be ELITE.. If you made it, it meant the guys lining up across from you knew you were a problem. These days, if I were playing, I’d honestly rather make First or Second Team All-Pro,” Suh, who was named to five Pro Bowls, wrote on social media.
“Basketball went through the same kind of change too. All-Star used to really tell you who was dominating the league. Now it feels way more tied to fan votes, markets, highlights, and popularity. The real merit based honor is All-NBA.”
Making the Pro Bowl used to be way different!
You really had to be ELITE.. If you made it, it meant the guys lining up across from you knew you were a problem.
These days, if I were playing, I’d honestly rather make First or Second Team All-Pro.
Basketball went through the… pic.twitter.com/g9aZ7stqKp
— Ndamukong Suh (@NdamukongSuh) February 3, 2026
“We cannot reward mediocrity… If you have more interceptions than touchdowns, there’s no way you should be rewarded,” added former safety Tyrann Mathieu, who was named to three Pro Bowls during his NFL career.
Tyrann Mathieu reacts to Shedeur Sanders’ Pro Bowl selection 😳
“We cannot reward mediocrity… If you have more interceptions than touchdowns, there’s no way you should be rewarded.” pic.twitter.com/IIj3nbGopr
— In The Bayou With Tyrann Mathieu (@InTheBayouPod) February 2, 2026
During the Pro Bowl games on Tuesday night, Sanders threw for 2 touchdowns and 2 interceptions. After the game, he took to social media to express his gratitude.
“Thank you to all the coaches, players, and fans for allowing me to be a part of the Pro Bowl! It was an amazing experience 00 connecting with the guys, learning, and growing. Truly grateful for the opportunity and hoping to stay connected. Thank you, GOD,” the Browns QB posted.
Sanders’ second season in the NFL will also be under his second head coach as the Browns hired former Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken to replaced former head coach Kevin Stefanski, who is now in Atlanta with the Falcons.