2022 Pro Bowl rosters revealed
There were plenty of surprises as the NFL released the 2022 Pro Bowl rosters.
Earlier today, the NFL announced the AFC and NFC All-Stars for the 2022 Pro Bowl — a moment many players and fans had been awaiting all season long.
Roster selections are determined by the consensus votes of fans, players and coaches. Each group’s vote counts one-third toward determining the 88 selected players.Twenty-six teams had at least one player selected to the 2022 Pro Bowl roster and 23 clubs had multiple players chosen as Pro Bowlers.
The 8-6 Indianapolis Colts led all teams with seven Pro Bowl selections while the AFC West’s Kansas City Chiefs and Los Angeles Chargers each had six players chosen. Five teams – the Baltimore Ravens, Cleveland Browns, Dallas Cowboys, San Francisco 49ers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers – each have five players at the Pro Bowl.
Tom Brady was selected to his 15th Pro Bowl — the most of any player ever in NFL history — while Green Bay’s Aaron Rodgers was selected to his 10th Pro Bowl. Each of the four other quarterbacks selected are drastically younger – the Chargers’ Justin Herbert, Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson, Kansas City’s Patrick Mahomes and Arizona’s Kyler Murray – are all under the age of 27.
Thirty-one of the 88 players were selected to the Pro Bowl for the first-time. Four rookies will make their first bow; Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase , Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons, Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts and Chargers tackle Rashawn Slater.
Other first-time Pro Bowlers recognized for their sensational seasons included Dallas’ Trevon Diggs, Baltimore’s Devin Duvernay, Indianapolis’ Jonathan Taylor and Tampa Bay’s Tristan Wirfs.
As for the coaching staffs, they will be filled from the losing teams in the Divisional playoffs with the best regular-season records. Try reading that quickly. Here are the Pro Bowl selections in full:
The 2022 Pro Bowl kicks off at 3:00 PM ET on Sunday, February 6, and will be televised on ESPN and will be simulcast on ABC in the United States. Tickets are available now on ProBowl.com and will allow fans special benefits on gameday including access to the Pro Bowl Red Carpet and other family friendly activities.
Jonathan Taylor tops all players in fan Pro Bowl voting
The Wisconsin product is the ultimate fan favorite in the NFL this season.
Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor received more Pro Bowl fan votes than any other for the 2022 iteration in Las Vegas. The sophomore amassed 265,370 total fan votes to lead all players. Fan voting ended on December 16 with the final Pro Bowl rosters to be released on December 22.
San Francisco defensive end Nick Bosa was second overall with 264,687 votes after a phenomenal comeback season from an ACL injury. Fan favourite and Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce came in third (262,540). While 49ers fullback Kyle Juszczyk (244,714) and Cowboys cornerback Trevon Diggs (242,900) rounded out the top five.
From a team perspective, Kansas City led all clubs in total votes received. Dallas, New England, San Francisco and Green Bay followed close by, rounding out the top-five teams to receive the most fan votes.
Fan voting may have closed but rosters are not finalised as we speak. A Pro Bowl selection is determined by the votes of fans, players and coaches. Each group’s vote counts as one-third toward determining the 88 Pro Bowlers.
For a full list of the leading player at each position — with respect to fan voting — in the NFC and AFC see below:
The 2022 Pro Bowl will be played at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on Sunday, February 6, at 3:00 PM ET and televised on ESPN, ESPN Deportes and simulcast on ABC.
NFL announces nominees for Walter Payton Man of the Year Award
32 of the NFL’s finest men have been honoured for their excellence on and off the field.
Earlier this week, the NFL announced the nominees for one of its most cherished prizes; the Walter Payton Man of the Year award.
The annual prize recognises and particularly honours one player for their community service work in addition to their greatness on the gridiron.
Each nominee receives a $40,000 USD donation to their chosen charity, meanwhile the winner receives a $250,000 USD donation. Previous winners such as Russell Wilson, Calais Campbell and J.J. Watt wear a patch on their jersey, serving as a reminder of their triumph.
Some of the more prominent names nominated for the prestigious award include Titans running back Derrick Henry, Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott, Buccaneers receiver Mike Evans, Chiefs safety Tyrann Mathieu and Broncos safety Justin Simmons. Evans and Simmons are just two of a select group to be nominated for the award on multiple occasions.
You’ll find a full list of the nominees below:
Arizona Cardinals: Kelvin Beachum
Atlanta Falcons: Mike Davis
Baltimore Ravens: Bradley Bozeman
Buffalo Bills: Harrison Phillips
Carolina Panthers: DJ Moore
Chicago Bears: Jimmy Graham
Cincinnati Bengals: Sam Hubbard
Cleveland Browns: Denzel Ward
Dallas Cowboys: Dak Prescott
Denver Broncos: Justin Simmons
Detroit Lions: Jason Cabinda
Green Bay Packers: Aaron Jones
Houston Texans: Justin Reid
Indianapolis Colts: Kenny Moore II
Jacksonville Jaguars: Myles Jack
Kansas City Chiefs: Tyrann Mathieu
Las Vegas Raiders: Darren Waller
Los Angeles Chargers: Corey Linsley
Los Angeles Rams: Andrew Whitworth
Miami Dolphins: Jerome Baker
Minnesota Vikings: Anthony Barr
New England Patriots: Lawrence Guy
New Orleans Saints: Cameron Jordan
New York Giants: Logan Ryan
New York Jets: Quinnen Williams
Philadelphia Eagles: Jason Kelce
Pittsburgh Steelers: Cameron Heyward
San Francisco 49ers: Arik Armstead
Seattle Seahawks: Tyler Lockett
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Mike Evans
Tennessee Titans: Derrick Henry
Washington Football Team: Jonathan Allen
For further information on the nominees and the award, visit NFL.com/manoftheyear.
Raiders announce proof of vaccine policy for home games
The Las Vegas Raiders have set a contentious precedent, undoubtedly soon-to-be followed by other teams around the league.
The Las Vegas Raiders have set a contentious precedent, undoubtedly soon-to-be followed by other teams around the league.
In a statement released on their website last night, the Raiders informed fans they must show proof of a COVID-19 vaccination in order to attend any games during the 2021 NFL season.
Attendees can demonstrate their vaccination proof through CLEAR's free mobile app and Health Pass feature, ensuring fans can attend games without wearing a mask. There is no scenario in which an unvaccinated fan will be allowed into Allegiant Stadium this season.
t is the first vaccine/no mask policy implemented in the National Football League. Those planning to attend the Raiders first regular season home game against Baltimore on Monday Night Football (September 13) must be vaccinated to receive entry.
The policy is in accordance with the large events Emergency Directive from Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak.
"Health and safety has always been our number one priority," said Raiders owner Mark Davis. "After consultation with Governor Sisolak and other community leaders, this policy ensures that we will be able to operate at full capacity without masks for fully vaccinated fans for the entire season."
Fans will be able to receive vaccinations onsite at Allegiant Stadium prior to Raiders home games, though newly vaccinated fans must continue wearing their mask.
The Raiders announced a policy requiring all full-time employees on the business and football staffs of the organization to be vaccinated in May. Stadium management company ASM and stadium concessionaire Levy also have implemented mandatory vaccinations for all full-time staff at Allegiant Stadium.
Watch: Peyton Manning’s full Hall of Fame induction speech
After 18 sensational seasons on the NFL gridiron, No. 18’s place in football folklore and the Hall was always a mere formality. Beloved by Colts, Broncos and neutral fans alike, Manning endeared himself further to the footballing public with an incredible speech.
At the first attempt, the Sheriff was enshrined into pro football’s greatest fraternity.
After 18 sensational seasons on the NFL gridiron, No. 18’s place in football folklore and the Hall was always a mere formality. Beloved by Colts, Broncos and neutral fans alike, Manning endeared himself further to the footballing public with an incredible speech.
As ever, Peyton carried himself with grace, displaying his typically sharp sense of humor and effortlessly motivating style.
Thousands across social media praised Manning for his incredible speech, with one respected NFL figure going as far as to suggest he would be NFL Commissioner material.
Manning’s career stats:
2x Super Bowl Champion
Super Bowl MVP
5x NFL MVP
2x NFL Offensive Player of the Year
7x First-team All-Pro
Most TDs in an NFL season (55)
Most passing yards in an NFL season (5,477)
Most TDs in an NFL game (7)
And many more, which if we noted, will be finished after Tom Brady’s ninth Super Bowl win.
Important dates for the 2021 NFL season
The NFL season begins with the Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers hosting America’s Team; the Dallas Cowboys on September 9. Though there are many defining occasions throughout the league before and after the battle of Brady and Prescott.
The NFL season begins with the Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers hosting America’s Team; the Dallas Cowboys on September 9. Though there are many defining occasions throughout the league before and after the battle of Brady and Prescott.
August
August 5 - Hall of Fame Game (Dallas Cowboys vs Pittsburgh Steelers)
August 12 - Start of Preseason Week 1
August 31 (4pm ET) - Rosters must be reduced to max. of 53 players on the Active/Inactive List.
September
September 5 - Final day of preseason training camp
September 9 - Season opener (Bucs vs Cowboys)
September 12 & 13 - Week 1 of NFL regular season
October
October 10 - NFL London Series, New York Jets vs. Atlanta Falcons @ Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
October 17 -NFL London Series, Miami Dolphins vs. Jacksonville Jaguars @ Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
November
November 2 - Trade period ends for 2021
January
January 8 & 9 - Final week of the regular season (Week 18)
January 15 & 16 - Wild Card Playoff Games
January 22 - NFLPA Collegiate Bowl
January 22 & 23 - Divisional Playoff Games
January 28 - HBCU Combine
January 30 - AFC & NFC Championship Games
February
February 5 - Senior Bowl
February 6 - NFL Pro Bowl
February 13 - Super Bowl LVI
February 19 - HBCU Legacy Bowl
March
March 1-7 - NFL Scouting Combine
March 8- Franchise tag designation deadline
March 16 (4pm ET) - 2022 Free Agency begin
April 28-30 - 2022 NFL Draft
Drew Brees talks Jameis, Taysom & the QB who has caught his eye
Drew Brees believes the quarterback battle down in New Orleans is unlikely to end anytime soon.
Drew Brees believes the quarterback battle down in New Orleans is unlikely to end anytime soon. The Saints GOAT thinks both Jameis Winston and Taysom Hill will spend time under centre in New Orleans’ first season without Brees in 16 years.
“Both guys have such a love for the game … and you can see it in the way they play. Taysom has an infectious love for the game,” Brees told Mike Tirico in Football Morning in America.
“There is not a guy who is more respected for that and for what he brings to the team. Jameis was such a joy to be around. He also loves the game and loves to work at it. You can tell that football consumes his thoughts.
“He wants to be a great player and continue to improve. Whatever happens, in terms of whoever is the starter, I do think there is a scenario where both of them are playing. If Jameis is the starter I think Taysom is seeing a lot of action at quarterback, maybe even more-so than he did with me.”
As for withdrawals from his time in the New Orleans spotlight, Brees hasn’t come across any yet.
“I have been preparing for the next chapter, I’m excited about it. There is a feeling of gratitude and appreciation for all that the game gave me,” he said.
“I still have a chance (at NBC) to be connected with the game and stay involved, but I am excited to be able to pursue some other passions that I haven’t been able to up to this point.”
Brees is preparing to play a large part in NBC’s football coverage this season, signing on as a studio analyst for Football Night in America. A guy you’ll hear him speak about and this season is Justin Herbert; the Chargers quarterback who has caught his eye more than any other youngster in the league.
“I don’t think I’ve seen an athlete quite like him. We played them last year, and I was impressed,” Brees revealed.
“Then I saw him at mini-camp in OTAs and was amazed at how big and strong he is. His forearms and hands look like he has been digging fence-post holes his entire life. He is good, smart and has those leadership qualities. You talk about building an offense around a guy, he can be a 15-year franchise guy.”
Brees will also be instrumental in NBC’s coverage of Notre Dame, in addition to the Olympics and of course, Super Bowl LVI.
NFL issues forfeit threat for 2021 season - how it could occur
There’s never a quiet day in the NFL, with today being no exception.
There’s never a quiet day in the NFL, with today being no exception.
Commissioner Roger Goodell informed teams, via a memo yesterday, of new ‘incentives’ to get vaccinated ahead of the NFL season — just 48 days away.
What incentives you may ask? Well, none in the traditional sense. Think of it more as if you were a child. If you behave well, you won’t be smacked by your parents.
The NFL hasn’t enforced vaccinations of its players but after the latest memo it seems as if players have few choices remaining. Unvaccinated players may cause forfeits and lose their game checks if they cause an insolvable disruption to NFL games, causing outrage among players.
Here’s how a forfeit will occur in the 2021 NFL season:
A game is postponed due to ongoing health concerns of an outbreak.
The NFL can't find a reasonable date to reschedule within the 18-week regular season.
The postponement of a game was resultant of an outbreak amongst one team’s unvaccinated players.
If disruption to the schedule is caused by an outbreak among vaccinated players, the league, in yesterday’s memo, said they "will attempt to minimize the competitive and economic burden on both participating teams.”
Certainly interesting times ahead for the league, players and NFLPA.
NFL announces Preseason TV schedule
An enormous 23 games will be shown on the league’s broadcast channel…this includes to quadruple-headers in Weeks 1 and 2 before two doses of triple-headers in Week 3.
The NFL announced this week there will be a record number of preseason games will be shown on NFL Network.
Let’s hope we’ll see more of this!
Importantly, all preseason games will be shown on NFL GamePass, which is fantastic news for international and American fans alike.
An enormous 23 games will be shown on the league’s broadcast channel will show eight games through Weeks 1-2 before a final seven during the third and final week of preseason.
This includes to quadruple-headers in Weeks 1 and 2 before two doses of triple-headers in Week 3.
The Football Team kick off NFL Network’s coverage on August 12 at New England, where we should get our first official look at Mac Jones in a Patriots uniform.
Trevor Lawrence is likely to hit your screens on August 14 as Urban Meyer and the Jags host AFC rivals, Cleveland.
Media and fans alike will be hoping to get a glimpse of Jordan Love too, which may come as early as Week 2 (August 21) at home to Zac Wilson and Gang Green.
Below is a full list of the games to air on NFL Network across the preseason:
Week 1
Thursday, August 12
7:30 PM ET – Washington Football Team vs. New England Patriots
Friday, August 13
7:00 PM ET – Buffalo Bills vs. Detroit Lions
10:00 PM ET – Dallas Cowboys vs. Arizona Cardinals
Saturday, August 14
1:00 PM ET – Miami Dolphins vs. Chicago Bears
4:00 PM ET – Denver Broncos vs. Minnesota Vikings
7:00 PM ET – Cleveland Browns vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
10:00 PM ET – Los Angeles Chargers vs. Los Angeles Rams
Sunday, August 15
1:00 PM ET – Carolina Panthers vs. Indianapolis Colts
Week 2
Thursday, August 19
7:30 PM ET – New England Patriots vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Friday, August 20
8:00 PM ET – Cincinnati Bengals vs. Washington Football Team
Saturday, August 21
1:00 PM ET – Buffalo Bills vs. Chicago Bears
4:25 PM ET – New York Jets vs. Green Bay Packers
7:30 PM ET – Detroit Lions vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
10:00 PM ET – Las Vegas Raiders vs. Los Angeles Rams
Sunday, August 22
1:00 PM ET – New York Giants vs. Cleveland Browns
7:30 PM ET – San Francisco 49ers vs. Los Angeles Chargers
Week 3
Friday, August 27
8:00 PM ET – Minnesota Vikings vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Saturday, August 28
1:00 PM ET – Green Bay Packers vs. Buffalo Bills
7:00 PM ET – Chicago Bears vs. Tennessee Titans
10:00 PM ET – Los Angeles Chargers vs. Seattle Seahawks
Sunday, August 29
1:00 PM ET – Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Dallas Cowboys
4:00 PM ET – Las Vegas Raiders vs. San Francisco 49ers
6:00 PM ET – New England Patriots vs. New York Giants
For American fans — NFL Network will blackout live games shown concurrently in local markets.
NFL Training Camps begin this week- When does your team return?
Football season is fast approaching with the Dallas Cowboys and Pittsburgh Steelers kicking off their respective training camps on Wednesday.
Football season is fast approaching with the Dallas Cowboys and Pittsburgh Steelers kicking off their respective training camps on Wednesday.
All players from the Cowboys and Steelers are scheduled to report, with the teams facing off in the Hall of Fame Game on August 5.
The reigning Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers will host its rookies on Tuesday, with veterans coming through on Saturday.
Below you will find exactly when each team reports for training camp ahead of the NFL preseason which begins on Thursday, August 12.
Reporting dates and locations for NFL training camps this offseason - courtesy of NFL Communications.
NFL announces joint practices - Who your team is playing and why
After practicing against your own same players throughout OTAs and training camp, it is a great opportunity to move through different plays, schemes against foreign opponents.
Not all 32 teams are participating in joint practices though. Only 21 teams are will involve themselves with another organization.
Joint practices aren’t a new phenomenon in the NFL. They essentially act as an opportunity for teams and players to go through scrimmages against different personnel.
After practicing against your own same players throughout OTAs and training camp, it is a great opportunity to move through different plays, schemes against foreign opponents.
Not all 32 teams are participating in joint practices though. Only 21 teams are will involve themselves with another organization.
New Orleans and Jacksonville were set to meet in Louisiana on August 20, but since the release of the schedule both teams have confirmed otherwise.
Teams NOT involved in joint practices this offseason:
Arizona Cardinals
Buffalo Bills
Cincinnati Bengals
Detroit Lions
Houston Texans
Jacksonville Jaguars
Kansas City Chiefs
New Orleans Saints
Pittsburgh Steelers
Seattle Seahawks
Washington Football Team
Some teams will engage in two bouts of joint practices; the Los Angeles Rams, New England Patriots, Miami Dolphins, Carolina Panthers, Philadelphia Eagles, and both the New York clubs (Jets and Giants).
Arguably, the most famous joint practice moment of recent memory involved then-Houston’s DeAndre Hopkins and Washington’s DeAngelo Hall getting into it. Things got interesting, real quick…
Thankfully for DB’s everywhere their ankles won’t be tested by D-Hop until preseason at the earliest.
Full list of this year’s joint practices:
Courtesy of NFL Communications
Watch: Ted Ginn announces retirement - best plays of his career
Ginn, 36, played for six teams (Miami, San Francisco, Carolina, Arizona, New Orleans and Chicago) across a stellar 14-year career after being drafted 9th overall to Miami in the 2007 NFL draft.
Punters and kickers can sleep a little easier tonight now that specialist sensation Ted Ginn has announced his retirement.
Ginn, 36, played for six teams (Miami, San Francisco, Carolina, Arizona, New Orleans and Chicago) across a stellar 14-year career after being drafted 9th overall to Miami in the 2007 NFL draft.
Ted Ginn stats:
412 catches for 5,742 receiving yards and 33 touchdowns
262 punt returns for 2,624 yards and 4 TDs
307 kickoff returns for 6,899 yards and 3 TDs.
15,749 career all-purpose yards — 4th in the NFL since 2007, behind Adrian Peterson, Frank Gore and Darren Sproles.
Oh, and a special treat for those who remember GInn from his Ohio State days…what a phenom.
NFL invests $4 million into hamstring injury research
The NFL continues to invest into player welfare and safety, further evidenced in their commitment to new medical research in the hope of improving the health of its stars.
In a memo released to media this week, the league announced funding of a $4 million research project into the prevention and treatment of hamstring injuries.
The study — led by researchers at the University of Wisconsin — focuses on elite football players and the second-most restrictive injury among NFL players.
Almost 75% of hamstring injuries result in NFL players sitting on the sidelines for extended periods. The league hopes the study will allow players and teams to mitigate the frequency and severity of the dreaded hammy injury.
What will the research involve?
Quantitative imaging
On-field biomechanics assessment
Computational analytics to determine risk factors associated with initial and recurring hamstring injuries
Develop data-driven approaches to help individualize risk assessment
"To truly understand and reduce hamstring injury risk requires a study of an unprecedented size and scope,” said Dr. Bryan Heiderscheit, Department of Orthopedics and Rehabilitation, University of Wisconsin-Madison.
“Our multi-disciplinary team of researchers can now undertake an innovative, data-driven approach to this study, and assist sports medicine clinicians in advancing strategies for injury prevention and interventions to return athletes to sport quickly and with reduced risk for re-injury."
Malcolm Butler excited by Cardinals squad ahead of return to the place he made his name
The NFL season begins with the Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers hosting America’s Team; the Dallas Cowboys on September 9. Though there are many defining occasions throughout the league before and after the battle of Brady and Prescott.
Arizona’s newest addition Malcolm Butler already feels at home in The Grand Canyon State. Like Harry Potter and Lord Voldemort, Butler and State Farm Stadium are part of one another forever.
Super Bowl XLIX will live long in the memory of Butler — and Seahawks fans — with his interception chiseled into the annals of NFL history.
His new coordinator, Vance Joseph is a defense specialist. The prospect of playing under him has Butler watering at the mouth.
“He seems like he knows how to call plays [for] situational football,” Butler told team reporter Lisa Matthews. “He knows that good football teams are led by the players, not by the coaches. And I like his scheme.”
Butler also noted that playing alongside former Patriots teammate Chandler Jones and defensive lineman J.J. Watt were also factors in his decision to come to Arizona.
“Arizona was making good moves. You know obviously I played with Chandler. You brought J.J. Watt in, you got the young, talented quarterback (Kyler Murray), you got the dynamic wide receiver duo (DeAndre Hopkins & A.J. Green).”
After allowing more points than 20 other NFL teams, Butler’s experienced presence will be crucial to the Cardinals postseason hopes in a cutthroat NFC West.