‘Didn’t Hear [You] Say Anything When Drake Maye Made It’ — NFL Fans Rip Reporter for Blaming Shedeur Sanders for Pro Bowl’s Demise

For 75 years, the Pro Bowl games, in some way, shape, or form, had been a part of the NFL calendar. But this year, the league is finally putting a stop to it, instead offering the honor of being named a Pro Bowler to a select few stars.

One reporter, though, tried to make the claim that the decision was made after Shedeur Sanders got a Pro Bowl nod last season. Understandably, his shot against the second-generation star didn’t sit right with much of the football fan base.

Shedeur Sanders Isn’t the Reason Pro Bowl Games Are Canceled

Last year, Sanders started in just seven games for the Cleveland Browns and threw more interceptions than touchdowns, finishing second-to-last on PFN’s Quarterback Impact Metric. But with a ton of players opting out, he was given a Pro Bowl nod as an alternate.

Brian T. Smith of talkSport was far more crass when calling out Sanders for the death of the Pro Bowl games. While he supported the NFL’s decision, he believed the second-generation star had inadvertently caused it.

“A sports league aiming for $25 billion in annual revenue and global domination simply had no choice after allowing Sanders to be named a ‘Pro Bowl quarterback’ while being one of the worst quarterbacks in the NFL,” Smith wrote.

Moreover, he also pointed to a post from three-time Pro Bowler Shawne Merriman, who claimed: “I have a Pro Bowl helmet that I walk by almost every day. It’s signed by some of the best players in the history of the NFL, legends, HOF’ers and real GOATs. The Pro Bowl use to be a badge of honor and respected. Things have changed.”

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Unfortunately, fans didn’t agree with Smith’s assessment. He caught immediate pushback on social media, as one fan pointed out, “Needing Sheduer’s name in the post for clicks, I see. The Pro Bowl has been a joke for YEARS. Why don’t you have Tyler Huntley’s name in there, too?”

Needing Sheduer’s name in the post for clicks I see. The Pro Bowl has been a joke for YEARS. Why don’t you have Tyler Huntley’s name in there too?

— JB (@JBunn24) August 27, 2026

Huntley was mentioned a few other times as well, as another fan claimed, “Why are we blaming Sanders? Was it any less ridiculous when Tyler Huntley made it a few years ago?”

However, Drake Maye’s name was also brought up, as he was also named a Pro Bowler after an underwhelming rookie season.

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“I didn’t hear say anything when Drake Maye made it to the Pro Bowl last year?” the fan said on X. “Same for Tyler Huntley when he played 6 games, threw 2 TDs & 3 INTs in 2022. Or Mac Jones? You just talking out of your [expletive]. It’s ok, but keep it to yourself. It’s embarrassing. Idiot.”

Even fans who weren’t supportive of the backup quarterback of the Browns couldn’t understand the unnecessary shot against him. As one fan wrote, “I’m not a Shedeur fan, but blaming him is crazy. The Pro Bowl has been a mess for years.”

Im not a shedeur fan, but blaming him is crazy. The pro bowl has been a mess for years

— Bobby light (@bobbylightss) August 27, 2026

Rather than the old system, the NFL will now announce a list of 88 players to be named Pro Bowlers for that season, with no alternates.

The only way Sanders can fire back at this claim is to earn one or more Pro Bowl selections under this new format and solidify himself among the top NFL quarterbacks.