The NFL Pro Bowl has undergone drastic changes over the last few years as the NFL tries to reinvent the all-star game that went stagnant over several years.
With declining popularity, viewership, and reviews, the NFL has turned to the Manning brothers to inject some excitement and fun into the week.
Eli and Peyton Manning Coaching the 2024 Pro Bowl
With the popularity of the Pro Bowl at an all-time low, the NFL decided to make wholesale changes to the event in 2023 that involved replacing the traditional game with the Pro Bowl Games, with the main event being flag football.
As the NFL tries to attract audiences to the all-star game, they are attempting to inject entertainment value into the brand. Along with the significant changes to the event, they also brought in two coaches: Eli and Peyton Manning.
The brothers were brought in to improve the popularity of the all-star game. With the 2024 Pro Bowl now broadcast on ESPN, it seemed an easy choice.
ESPN is already the home of the increasingly successful Manning Cast, and their infectious personalities, banter, and sibling rivalry are universally liked across the country.
While the brothers know football, it is the entertainment value they bring that makes them the perfect fit.
Also, alongside the changes, the NFL changed the production company for the games to Omaha Productions, a company owned by Peyton, and also produces the Manning Cast.
What Will Eli and Peyton Manning’s Role Be at the 2024 Pro Bowl?
Despite being the coaches, the Manning brothers won’t be calling plays. Miami Dolphins WR coach Wes Welker will be the offensive coordinator for the AFC. Meanwhile, Minnesota Vikings WR coach Keenan McCardell will be the offensive coordinator for the NFC.
Speaking to ESPN, Eli shared his experience from the 2023 Pro Bowl when he was asked to submit his playbook. “I don’t have a playbook, “I’m like drawing it up on paper. Here’s my playbook. Here’s 30 plays I just made up.”
It led to offensive coordinators being invited to the games, with the Manning brothers taking a different role.
Eli said, “I handed over the reins. Keenan, you run it. I’ll be the head coach. I’ll talk trash to Peyton. I’ll be handling the players. I don’t want to think about calling any plays. This is your show.”
Peyton, however, may have the AFC team set up differently. Eli expects Peyton will be “micromanaging the heck out of him the whole game.”
The 2024 NFL Pro Bowl marks only the second time the Pro Bowl Games format has been used. Previously, it was played as an actual NFL game with whole staffs coming in. However, in 2023, the NFL decided to change the format and play flag football as the main event.
MORE: When Is the 2024 NFL Pro Bowl Flag Football Game?
“The game had gotten so bad, the NFL was thinking of getting rid of this thing,” Eli stated. “People watch it, people were still tuning in, but everybody was writing negative things about it, so we said we have to do something. So, we have flag football.”
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