The NFL’s all-star event, known as the Pro Bowl, gets a new look this year – but it does not seem like much of an improvement.

The Pro Bowl used to be a traditional football game held a week before the Super Bowl. This year, there are skills competitions that started Thursday and continue Sunday, ending with a flag football game.

As usual, a handful of the players who would normally be in the Pro Bowl, like Patrick Mahomes and Jason Kelce, are instead preparing for the Super Bowl. 

The situation with Bills quarterback Josh Allen is more unusual. Allen said he would not participate because of an injury – but then decided to go play competitive golf instead.

The voting system also seems a bit flawed, with fan input being very restricted. Having Ravens QB Tyler Huntley take Allen’s spot is a questionable decision when there were players who were just truly better than him this year. 

The new version of the Pro Bowl is an event for the fans to watch some of their favorite players compete in a skills competition and then in a flag football game. It tries to give fans more football to watch until the Super Bowl arrives.

It also brings in money, but it does not really satisfy the audience.

The Pro Bowl is a good idea in theory, but canceling it to give players a rest would not be the worst idea.