Members of the NFL group understandably rolled their eyes when it was learned that Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders had been added to the Professional Bowl Video games roster as a substitute for New England Patriots starter Drake Maye.
Throughout an look on ESPN’s “SportsCenter,” former participant and present NFL analyst Marcus Spears was requested about his response to Sanders being introduced as a Professional Bowl participant.
Including Browns’ Shedeur Sanders to Professional Bowl “is about advertising”
“Loopy as hell,” Spears mentioned concerning the choice. “However I get it. I get it from the NFL perspective. He is one of the adopted soccer gamers on the planet, in America, for certain. And it is about bringing eyes. …This is about advertising. That is the one factor I can derive from it.”
Professional Bowl tv ratings have generated unfavourable headlines for the league for the reason that shift to the present Pro Bowl Games format. Historical past means that’s unlikely to alter this winter, no matter Sanders’ involvement.
As for why including Sanders to the combo has obtained such unfavourable reactions, the numbers present he was one of many NFL’s most unimpressive beginning quarterbacks this season. Per Pro Football Reference, he ended Week 18 ranked fortieth within the league amongst certified gamers with an 18.9 adjusted QBR, forty first with a 68.1 passer score and final with a 56.6 p.c completion share.
Cleveland went 3-4 in video games that Sanders began.
NFL hoping followers will tune in to observe Shedeur Sanders both succeed or fail as a Professional Bowl QB
Spears talked about that New Orleans Saints quarterback and Offensive Rookie of the 12 months Award finalist Tyler Shough is amongst youthful gamers extra deserving of a Professional Bowl nod than Sanders. That mentioned, Spears appears to understand that Shough does not have the name-brand worth possessed by Sanders in early 2026.
“It’s about one of many guys and the most important names within the league coming to make the Professional Bowl extra fascinating,” Spears added. “The NFL has to determine what to do with the Professional Bowl video games now. However I perceive Shedeur Sanders being in it. And that is my perspective on it, is that he will deliver some eyes that would not essentially be there.”
Sanders being named a Professional Bowl substitute doubtless will not make him any much less of a polarizing determine amongst followers and analysts. Fact be informed, that actuality doubtless has one thing to do with why he was chosen within the first place.
