New York Jets: End of Pro Bowl drought is meaningless

Three New York Jets made it to the 2019 Pro Bowl, but the end of the Pro Bowl drought for the Jets is essentially meaningless.

Jamal Adams, Jason Myers and Andre Roberts will represent the New York Jets in the Pro Bowl in 2019. For players with incentives in their contracts it’s great, because it’s more money in their pockets, but the Pro Bowl is a watered-down event, and making all-star events in pro sports is essentially meaningless today, especially in the NFL.

First off, the game is terrible. No one wants to get hurt — I don’t blame them — and they don’t play as hard as they can. Secondly, how’s makings an all-star game an achievement? It’s merely a popularity contest. Whoever gets the most votes gets in. Yes, two-thirds of the votes comes from coaches and players, but there are more fans than players and coaches. That means the fans will be heard more.

How many fans actually vote on who’s most deserving? It’s basically a popularity contest, and the players who are playing in the game won. Essentially, it’s like getting in student government.

As Charean Williams of Pro Football Talk tweeted, being an All-Pro actually matters more. It means the players is considered the best at his position for the entire league year.

In the history of the New York Jets only six (out of 1293) players have ever been named All-Pro: Darrelle Revis, John Abraham, Mark Gastineau, Joe Klecko, Kevin Mawae and Nick Mangold. That award is much more subjective than the Pro Bowl and much more depictive of what a player is.

Sure, it’s nice to see your favorite players play one more time in an exhibition game. It’s not as big a deal as it’s made out to be, though. There are a lot more meaningful things — for on the field — to achieve (like player of the year and most valuable player). It’s a good talking point, but that’s it.