CLEVELAND — The NFL Pro Bowl game is no more, with the long-ridiculed spectacle being replaced this coming February by skills competitions and a non-contact flag football matchup.
However, being named to the AFC or NFC Pro Bowl squads remains among the highest honors a player can receive, and three familiar Browns once again find their names on the rosters.
Cleveland running back Nick Chubb, offensive guard Joel Bitonio, and defensive end Myles Garrett all made the AFC Pro Bowl slate that was unveiled Wednesday night. The three were all classified as starters, earning the most votes at their respective positions among their fellow players, coaches, and fans.
This is Chubb's fourth consecutive Pro Bowl nod in his fifth NFL season, and he currently sits third in the league with both 1,252 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns. Just last Saturday, he eclipsed 6,000 yards for his career, putting him fourth on Cleveland's all-time list.
As the longest-tenured member of the Browns, this is season No. 9 for Bitonio, whose five straight Pro Bowls now make him just the ninth player in team history to accomplish that feat. He also has four All-Pro selections to his credit, and this year ranks second among all guards with an 86.7 overall grade from Pro Football Focus.
Finally, Garrett continues to add to his legacy by making his third straight Pro Bowl and fourth in the last five seasons. The three-time All-Pro became Cleveland's official all-time sacks leader earlier this season, during which he has racked up 13 1/2 sacks to place third in the NFL and challenge his own single-season mark of 16 set in 2021.
In addition to the confirmed honorees, five other Browns were named Pro Bowl alternates, meaning they could receive recognition if any other players are injured or unable to participate due to making the Super Bowl a week after the All-Star event. The slate of alternates is as follows:
- WR Amari Cooper
- TE David Njoku
- OT Jack Conklin
- OG Wyatt Teller
- CB Denzel Ward
The 2023 Pro Bowl Games will take place at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, with the flag football showdown set for Sunday, Feb. 5.