Part 2/6:
In recent years, many top-tier players, including stars like Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson, have opted out of participation, leading to a situation where fifth or sixth alternates make the roster. JJ Watt articulated the sentiment perfectly: continuity has turned the Pro Bowl into a "participation bowl" devoid of genuine competition. The decision-making of players is partly understandable; the focus on injury risk has overshadowed the excitement of representing their teams in a traditional game setting.
Yet, the core question remains: why does the NFL continue to hold the event if it has no competitive integrity? The decline of the Pro Bowl parallels ongoing challenges seen in other sport's all-star events.