Although the NFL Pro Bowl will look a little bit different this year, there will be a football game played regardless. However, this time around, the emphasis will be placed on the events more so on the actual game played. Additionally, the two teams will actually be using flag football rules.
Either way, the teams still require coaching staffs. Who are the Pro Bowl coaches for the AFC and NFC? Well, they are going to be some names that you likely recognize.
AFC Pro Bowl Coaching Staff
Head Coach: Peyton Manning
We have known for some time that the retired Manning brothers would be the stars of this year’s Pro Bowl. Although both have illustrious NFL careers, they have found new life as NFL personalities thanks to their various commercials and the success of ESPN’s Manningcast.
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Peyton was selected to 14 Pro Bowls during his long career, only one shy of the record holder Tom Brady. Originally the No. 1 overall selection in the 1998 NFL Draft, Manning ranks third all-time in passing yards (71,940) and touchdown passes (539), and he is one of two starting quarterbacks ever to lead multiple franchises to a Super Bowl title.
Defensive Coordinator: Ray Lewis
In what can be seen as somewhat of a ceremonial role, Ray Lewis will be leading the AFC’s defense during the Pro Bowl flag football game. A two-time Super Bowl champion, 12-time Pro Bowl selection, and two-time Defensive Player of the Year, Lewis was selected in the first round (No. 26 overall) in the 1996 NFL Draft by Baltimore, where he spent all 17 seasons of his NFL career.
Offensive Coordinator: Diana Flores
To ensure that these NFL players keep the flag football game as exciting as possible, the league brought in experts to lead the offenses. On the AFC side, Diana Flores, who had been a part of Mexico’s national women’s flag football team since 2014, has been tasked with the job.
Diana has played for the 2014, 2016, 2018, 2021, and 2022 Mexico Women’s Flag National Teams and led Mexico to a 6-0 record and a gold medal at The World Games this year.
NFC Pro Bowl Coaching Staff
Head Coach: Eli Manning
Having the Manning brothers go up against one another is sure to bring a ton of comedic relief to the NFL Pro Bowl. On the NFC side of things, longtime New York Giant Eli Manning will lead the NFC coaching staff.
A two-time Super Bowl champion, four-time Pro Bowl selection, and the 2016 NFL Walter Payton Man of the Year, Eli Manning spent his entire 16-season career with the New York Giants after entering the NFL as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2004 NFL Draft. He ranks 10th in league history and holds the Giants franchise records in passing yards (57,023), touchdown passes (366), and completions (4,895).
Defensive Coordinator: DeMarcus Ware
Tasked with stopping Diana Flores’ offense, nine-time Pro Bowl selection, and Super Bowl champion, DeMarcus Ware will be the NFC’s defensive coordinator.
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Ware was selected No. 11 overall in the 2005 NFL Draft by Dallas, where he spent the first nine years of his career (2005-13) before spending three seasons with Denver (2014-16). In 178 regular-season games, Ware totaled 657 tackles, 138.5 sacks, 127 tackles for loss, 35 forced fumbles, and 25 passes defensed.
Offensive Coordinator: Vanita Krouch
Leading the NFC offense is Vanita Krouch. Krouch has been the quarterback for the U.S. Woman’s Flag National Team since 2016 and played for the 2016, 2018, 2021, and 2022 national flag teams in The World Games.
She was the oldest flag football player (41) at the 2022 World Games (male or female) and was inducted into the National Flag and Touch Football Hall of Fame in 2016.
Pro Bowl Captains
In addition to some impressive names on the coaching staffs, the Pro Bowl will also have some pretty famous celebrities as their team captains. Comedian Pete Davidson will be the team captain for the NFC, joining Eli Manning. And rapper/actor Snoop Dogg will be the team captain for the AFC.
“I’m comin’ back to the NFL field, but this time, instead of performing, I’m going head-to-head with Pete and competing for the title of The Pro Bowl Games Champion,” Snoop Dogg told PEOPLE. “The competition is going to go off, but we all know that Peyton and our AFC squad are gonna do some big things. We’ll end up on that podium.”