2016 Pro Bowl
The 2016 Pro Bowl was the National Football League's (NFL) annual all-star game for the 2015 season, held on January 31, 2016, at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii, where top players were selected through a combination of fan, player, and coach voting and participated in an unconferenced draft format led by Hall of Fame captains Jerry Rice and Michael Irvin.[1][2][3] The rosters consisted of 88 players, with the Carolina Panthers leading all teams with 10 selections, followed by the Arizona Cardinals, New England Patriots, and Seattle Seahawks with seven each; notable honorees included quarterbacks Cam Newton, Tom Brady, and Russell Wilson, wide receivers Odell Beckham Jr. and Julio Jones, and running back Devonta Freeman.[1][4][2] In a departure from the traditional AFC vs. NFC matchup—continued from 2014 and 2015—the players were divided into Team Rice and Team Irvin via a televised draft process on January 27, 2016, emphasizing fun and skill-based team-building over conference rivalries.[3][5] The game itself was a high-scoring affair, with Team Irvin defeating Team Rice 49–27 in a contest marked by numerous touchdown passes and defensive plays; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson was named offensive MVP for throwing three first-half touchdown passes, completing 8 of 12 attempts for 164 yards, while other key contributors included tight end Travis Kelce with two scores for Team Rice and multiple touchdown throws from quarterbacks Teddy Bridgewater and Jameis Winston for Team Irvin.[6][7] Broadcast on ESPN starting at 7:00 p.m. ET, the event drew attention for its relaxed, exhibition-style rules, including no extra points after touchdowns and a focus on player safety ahead of Super Bowl 50.[8] This unconferenced edition highlighted the NFL's efforts to revitalize the Pro Bowl's appeal, though it would be the last of its kind before reverting to the AFC-NFC format in 2017; the game served as a celebratory prelude to the New England Patriots' Super Bowl 50 victory over the Panthers two weeks later.[3][9]Background and Selection
Event Overview
The 2016 Pro Bowl was the National Football League's annual all-star game, showcasing the top performers from the 2015 regular season and serving as the league's preseason event one week prior to Super Bowl 50.[1] Held on January 31, 2016, at 7:00 p.m. ET, the game featured 86 selected players divided into two teams of 43, highlighting elite talent in a competitive exhibition format.[1][10] The event took place at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii, drawing an attendance of approximately 50,000 spectators.[11] This marked the final Pro Bowl in Hawaii under the NFL's longstanding agreement with the state, as the league announced in May 2016 that the 2017 edition would relocate to Orlando, Florida.[12] The venue had hosted the game numerous times since 1980, contributing to its tradition as a tropical showcase for NFL stars.[13] In terms of historical context, the 2016 Pro Bowl continued the unconferenced format introduced in 2014, where teams were assembled via a fantasy draft rather than traditional AFC-NFC alignments, aiming to foster more balanced and engaging matchups.[14] This edition represented the third year of full-contact tackle football under these rules, following modified play adjustments in 2014 designed to enhance player safety and excitement while preserving the game's competitive integrity.[15]Player Selection Process
The player selection process for the 2016 Pro Bowl relied on a consensus voting system involving fans, players, and coaches, with each group's votes weighted equally at one-third of the total.[1] Fan voting was conducted online via NFL.com and by text message, opening on November 12, 2015, and closing on December 15, 2015, allowing supporters to cast ballots for eligible players across all positions.[16] Players and coaches submitted their votes separately through confidential ballots during the same period, focusing on performance from the 2015 NFL season.[1] The initial rosters, totaling 86 players, were announced on December 22, 2015, comprising 43 selections per side without initial conference affiliation, as players would later be assigned via draft to Team Rice and Team Irvin.[1] This represented a slight reduction from prior years' formats, which had included 44 spots per side by incorporating an additional long snapper; for 2016, long snappers were handled separately as "need" players selected by the head coaches after the draft.[1] The selections balanced offense (42 players), defense (36 players), and special teams (8 players), ensuring competitive rosters for the all-star format.[17] Position allocations emphasized key starters and reserves: quarterbacks (6 total), running backs (6), wide receivers (8) and tight ends (4) combined for 12 skill positions, offensive linemen (16, including 6 tackles, 6 guards, and 4 centers), defensive linemen and linebackers (22 combined), defensive backs (11), and specialists (8, comprising 2 kickers, 2 punters, and 4 returners).[17] These numbers provided 21 offensive, 18 defensive, and 4 special teams players per eventual team, with fullbacks (2 total) included in the offensive count.[18] To account for declinations due to injuries, personal reasons, or Super Bowl participation, the NFL designated alternates from a pool of eligible players who received the next-highest votes in their positions.[19] Up to 16 replacements per team were possible, activated progressively after the regular season; for instance, following the conference championships on January 17, 2016, players from the Super Bowl-bound Carolina Panthers and Denver Broncos were replaced by alternates to maintain full rosters.[20] This process resulted in a record 133 total players involved in 2016, highlighting the high declination rate among initial selections.[19] Initial selections varied widely by NFL team, reflecting seasonal performance disparities. The Carolina Panthers led with 10 players, followed by the Arizona Cardinals, New England Patriots, and Seattle Seahawks each with 7.[18] Other notable counts included the Dallas Cowboys (5), Cincinnati Bengals (6), Kansas City Chiefs (6), and Oakland Raiders (6). Three teams received no initial selections: the Chicago Bears, New Orleans Saints, and San Diego Chargers.[1]| Team | Initial Selections |
|---|---|
| Carolina Panthers | 10 |
| Arizona Cardinals | 7 |
| New England Patriots | 7 |
| Seattle Seahawks | 7 |
| Dallas Cowboys | 5 |
| Kansas City Chiefs | 6 |
| Oakland Raiders | 6 |
| Chicago Bears | 0 |
| New Orleans Saints | 0 |
| San Diego Chargers | 0 |
Game Format and Rules
Draft and Captains
The 2016 Pro Bowl featured Hall of Famers Jerry Rice as captain of Team Rice and Michael Irvin as captain of Team Irvin, with each assisted by defensive co-captains Eric Davis for Team Rice and Darren Woodson for Team Irvin.[21] These legends provided strategic oversight during the draft, drawing on their extensive NFL experience to guide team assembly.[5] The league selected four current players as additional captains—Geno Atkins, Odell Beckham Jr., Aaron Donald, and Devonta Freeman—who assisted the overall captains in making selections.[22] Assignment to teams was determined by a coin flip, with Rice winning and electing to pair with Beckham Jr. and Donald, while Irvin received Atkins and Freeman.[1] The fantasy draft took place on January 27, 2016, at Wheeler Army Airfield in Wahiawa, Hawaii, broadcast live on ESPN2.[5] It followed a schoolyard-style format where captains alternated picks across 27 rounds dedicated to offense, defense, and special teams positions, filling 43 roster spots per team.[22] Captains had the flexibility to trade future picks to secure desired players, adding a layer of negotiation to the process. Notable early selections included Russell Wilson as the first overall pick by Team Irvin, followed by Eli Manning to Team Rice.[5] This structure eliminated traditional conference affiliations, fostering balanced and competitive team compositions by mixing top talent from across the league.[22]Rule Modifications
The 2016 Pro Bowl marked a return to full-contact tackle football, reversing the flag football experiment of 2014 and the hybrid format of 2015 that limited blocking, blitzing, and certain defensive alignments to prioritize player safety.[23] This shift aimed to restore competitive intensity while still incorporating safety measures, such as limits on player snaps to prevent overexertion.[24] To further reduce injury risks associated with high-speed collisions, the game eliminated kickoffs entirely, with the offense starting possession at the opponent's 25-yard line following any score or at the beginning of each quarter.[24] The extra-point rules followed the NFL's permanent 2015 adjustment, placing point-after-touchdown attempts at the 15-yard line, while allowing the defense an opportunity for a two-point conversion from the two-yard line. Defensive strategies were expanded to promote more dynamic passing plays, permitting Cover 2 shell defenses and press coverage at the line of scrimmage—options restricted in prior years to encourage man-to-man matchups.[24] Roster sizes were adjusted to 43 players per team, eliminating a dedicated long snapper position to streamline operations and align closer to a standard game-day active roster of 46.[1] Additional tweaks focused on pacing and fairness, including 30-minute halves, a 35-second play clock (down from 40 seconds), and the game clock running continuously after incomplete passes and sacks outside the final two minutes of each half.[24] There were no coach-initiated challenges, with all reviews handled by replay officials, and possession alternated after each quarter regardless of scores.[25] Coaching for Team Rice was affected by Green Bay Packers head coach Mike McCarthy's stomach illness, which prevented his travel; associate head coach Winston Moss stepped in as head coach.[26]Rosters and Participation
Team Rice Roster
Team Rice's roster for the 2016 Pro Bowl consisted of 43 players selected by Hall of Fame wide receiver Jerry Rice during the televised draft on January 27, 2016.[27][28] The squad featured a potent mix of established stars and rising talents, with captains Odell Beckham Jr. at wide receiver and Aaron Donald on the defensive line, and showed heavy representation from AFC franchises such as the Chiefs, Raiders, and Bills.[27] Notable selections included rushing leader Adrian Peterson and veteran safety Charles Woodson in his final Pro Bowl appearance before retirement.[28][29] The roster breakdown by position is as follows:Offense
| Position | Player | Team | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| QB | Eli Manning | New York Giants | Veteran leader |
| QB | Tyrod Taylor | Buffalo Bills | First-time Pro Bowler |
| QB | Derek Carr | Oakland Raiders | Emerging AFC star |
| RB | Adrian Peterson | Minnesota Vikings | 2015 rushing yards leader |
| RB | Doug Martin | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 1,400+ yard rusher |
| RB | Chris Ivory | New York Jets | Power back |
| FB | John Kuhn | Green Bay Packers | Blocking specialist |
| WR | Odell Beckham Jr. | New York Giants | Offensive captain; explosive playmaker |
| WR | T.Y. Hilton | Indianapolis Colts | Speedy deep threat |
| WR | Amari Cooper | Oakland Raiders | Rookie sensation from prior year |
| WR | Jarvis Landry | Miami Dolphins | Slot receiver |
| TE | Travis Kelce | [Kansas City Chiefs](/page/Kansas_City Chiefs) | Dynamic pass-catcher |
| TE | Gary Barnidge | Cleveland Browns | Breakout season |
| OT | Joe Thomas | Cleveland Browns | 9-time Pro Bowler |
| OT | Joe Staley | San Francisco 49ers | Consistent protector |
| OT/G | Kyle Long | Chicago Bears | Versatile lineman |
| OG | Josh Sitton | Green Bay Packers | Anchor |
| OG | Logan Mankins | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 7-time Pro Bowler |
| OG | Richie Incognito | Buffalo Bills | Tenacious blocker |
| C | Nick Mangold | New York Jets | 7-time Pro Bowler |
| C | Eric Wood | Buffalo Bills | First-time selection |
Defense
| Position | Player | Team | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| DT | Aaron Donald | St. Louis Rams | Defensive captain; sack leader |
| DT | Gerald McCoy | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Interior force |
| DT | Fletcher Cox | Philadelphia Eagles | Disruptive presence |
| DE | Khalil Mack | Oakland Raiders | Pass-rush standout |
| DE | Cameron Jordan | New Orleans Saints | Consistent sacks |
| DE | Everson Griffen | Minnesota Vikings | Edge rusher |
| OLB | Tamba Hali | Kansas City Chiefs | Veteran pass rusher |
| OLB | Elvis Dumervil | Baltimore Ravens | 5-time Pro Bowler |
| OLB | Clay Matthews | Green Bay Packers | Star linebacker |
| MLB | Bobby Wagner | Seattle Seahawks | Tackling machine |
| DE/LB | Julius Peppers | Green Bay Packers | 9-time Pro Bowler |
| CB | Marcus Peters | Kansas City Chiefs | Interception leader |
| CB | Brent Grimes | Miami Dolphins | Ball hawk |
| CB | Vontae Davis | Indianapolis Colts | Shutdown corner |
| CB | Jason Verrett | San Diego Chargers | Replacement player |
| S | Eric Berry | Kansas City Chiefs | Comeback Player of the Year |
| S | Charles Woodson | Oakland Raiders | Retiring veteran; 9-time Pro Bowler |
| S | Mike Adams | Indianapolis Colts | Strong safety |
Special Teams
| Position | Player | Team | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| K | Josh Brown | New York Giants | Accurate kicker |
| P | Johnny Hekker | St. Louis Rams | Elite punter |
| PR | Tyler Lockett | Seattle Seahawks | Return specialist |
| ST | Cedric Peerman | Cincinnati Bengals | Coverage ace |
Team Irvin Roster
Team Irvin's roster for the 2016 Pro Bowl was selected through a two-day fantasy draft led by Pro Football Hall of Famer Michael Irvin, culminating on January 27, 2016, and comprising 43 players from the initial Pro Bowl pool.[30][31] The squad emphasized a robust defense with heavy representation from NFC teams, featuring elite talents such as Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman and defensive end Michael Bennett, alongside Arizona Cardinals defensive tackle Calais Campbell, who anchored the front.[30] On offense, Irvin prioritized dynamic playmakers, starting with his first overall pick of Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson, designated as an honorary captain for the team.[32][30] The complete roster, organized by position, is as follows: Quarterbacks- Russell Wilson (Seattle Seahawks) – Honorary captain
- Jameis Winston (Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
- Teddy Bridgewater (Minnesota Vikings)
- Julio Jones (Atlanta Falcons)
- A.J. Green (Cincinnati Bengals)
- DeAndre Hopkins (Houston Texans)
- Allen Robinson (Jacksonville Jaguars)
- Tyler Eifert (Cincinnati Bengals)
- Delanie Walker (Tennessee Titans)
- Branden Albert (Miami Dolphins, OT)
- Tyron Smith (Dallas Cowboys, OT)
- Andrew Whitworth (Cincinnati Bengals, OT)
- David DeCastro (Pittsburgh Steelers, OG)
- Zack Martin (Dallas Cowboys, OG)
- Marshal Yanda (Baltimore Ravens, OG/OT)
- Travis Frederick (Dallas Cowboys, C)
- Alex Mack (Cleveland Browns, C)
- Geno Atkins (Cincinnati Bengals, DT)
- Calais Campbell (Arizona Cardinals, DE/DT)
- Jurrell Casey (Tennessee Titans, DT)
- Ezekiel Ansah (Detroit Lions, DE)
- Michael Bennett (Seattle Seahawks, DE)
- Carlos Dunlap (Cincinnati Bengals, DE)
- Anthony Barr (Minnesota Vikings, OLB)
- Lavonte David (Tampa Bay Buccaneers, MLB)
- Sean Lee (Dallas Cowboys, MLB)
- NaVorro Bowman (San Francisco 49ers, MLB)
- Derrick Johnson (Kansas City Chiefs, MLB)
- Richard Sherman (Seattle Seahawks, CB)
- Desmond Trufant (Atlanta Falcons, CB)
- Adam Jones (Cincinnati Bengals, CB)
- Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (New York Giants, CB)
- Reshad Jones (Miami Dolphins, S)
- Malcolm Jenkins (Philadelphia Eagles, S)
- Harrison Smith (Minnesota Vikings, S)
- Dan Bailey (Dallas Cowboys, K)
- Sam Koch (Baltimore Ravens, P)
- Darren Sproles (Philadelphia Eagles, PR/KR)
- Justin Bethel (Arizona Cardinals, ST)
Absences and Replacements
Several players initially selected for the 2016 Pro Bowl were unable to participate due to commitments in Super Bowl 50, injuries, or personal decisions to decline the invitation.[19] The most significant absences stemmed from the Denver Broncos and Carolina Panthers, the competing teams in Super Bowl 50 on February 7, 2016, resulting in 14 players from these squads opting out to prepare for the championship game.[33] Additional absences included injuries to players such as Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald and personal declines by prominent quarterbacks like New England Patriots' Tom Brady, Green Bay Packers' Aaron Rodgers, Pittsburgh Steelers' Ben Roethlisberger, Arizona Cardinals' Carson Palmer, San Diego Chargers' Philip Rivers, and New Orleans Saints' Drew Brees.[19] In total, 47 of the original 86 selected players were absent, leading to a record-high number of replacements and a final participant pool of 133.[19] The NFL managed replacements by appointing alternates based on positional requirements and input from coaches and peers, with announcements issued incrementally from late December 2015 through January 2016 as absences were finalized.[1] This process, which prioritized maintaining balanced rosters for the January 31 event in Honolulu, ensured full participation without disrupting the game's structure.[33] For instance, Minnesota Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater filled in for the injured and declining Carson Palmer, marking Bridgewater's first Pro Bowl appearance.[1] The following table provides representative examples of absences and replacements, categorized by primary reason:| Original Player | Position | Team | Reason | Replacement Player | Replacement Team |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Von Miller | LB | DEN | Super Bowl | Julius Peppers | GB |
| Cam Newton | QB | CAR | Super Bowl | Tyrod Taylor | BUF |
| Josh Norman | CB | CAR | Super Bowl | Desmond Trufant | ATL |
| Luke Kuechly | LB | CAR | Super Bowl | Derrick Johnson | KC |
| Larry Fitzgerald | WR | ARI | Injury | T.Y. Hilton | IND |
| Rob Gronkowski | TE | NE | Injury | Gary Barnidge | CLE |
| Carson Palmer | QB | ARI | Personal/Injury | Teddy Bridgewater | MIN |
| Tom Brady | QB | NE | Personal | Jameis Winston | TB |
Game Summary
Starting Lineups
The starting lineups for the 2016 Pro Bowl were determined by the respective team coaches, drawing primarily from the players drafted by legends captains Jerry Rice and Michael Irvin, with considerations for player availability and injuries. Unlike traditional Pro Bowl formats, there was no fan voting for individual starters; instead, the draft structure allowed captains to prioritize key positions early, and coaches finalized alignments to balance the all-star rosters. Last-minute adjustments occurred due to several high-profile absences, including quarterback Cam Newton (replaced in the selection pool by Tyrod Taylor) and defensive end J.J. Watt (who withdrew following groin surgery), ensuring all positions were filled from the available talent pool.[1][34]Team Rice Starting Offense
Team Rice Starting Defense
| Position | Player | Team |
|---|---|---|
| DE | Khalil Mack | Oakland Raiders |
| DT | Fletcher Cox | Philadelphia Eagles |
| DE | Everson Griffen | Minnesota Vikings |
| LB | Luke Kuechly | Carolina Panthers |
| LB | Clay Matthews | Green Bay Packers |
| CB | Marcus Peters | Kansas City Chiefs |
| CB | Vontae Davis | Indianapolis Colts |
| S | Eric Berry | Kansas City Chiefs |
| S | Harrison Smith | Minnesota Vikings |
Team Irvin Starting Offense
Team Irvin Starting Defense
| Position | Player | Team |
|---|---|---|
| DE | Ezekiel Ansah | Detroit Lions |
| DT | Calais Campbell | Arizona Cardinals |
| DE | Michael Bennett | Seattle Seahawks |
| LB | Lavonte David | Tampa Bay Buccaneers |
| LB | Anthony Barr | Minnesota Vikings |
| CB | Richard Sherman | Seattle Seahawks |
| CB | Desmond Trufant | Atlanta Falcons |
| S | Earl Thomas | Seattle Seahawks |
| S | Reshad Jones | Miami Dolphins |
Box Score and Key Moments
The 2016 Pro Bowl ended with Team Irvin securing a decisive 49-27 victory over Team Rice at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii.[6] Played under clear night conditions with temperatures around 72°F and no significant weather impacts on play, the game showcased the new flag football elements while maintaining a high-scoring pace typical of the exhibition.[36] Team Irvin dominated early, leading 28-14 at halftime after a flurry of touchdown passes, and extended their advantage in the second half with explosive plays, finishing with 457 total yards to Team Rice's 503 but forcing six turnovers compared to three.[11] The teams combined for 126 total plays, with Team Irvin holding a slight edge in time of possession at 31:17 to Team Rice's 28:43.[11]Box Score
| Category | Team Irvin Key Stats | Team Rice Key Stats |
|---|---|---|
| Passing | Russell Wilson: 9/13, 155 yds, 3 TD; Teddy Bridgewater: 4/7, 89 yds, 1 TD; Jameis Winston: 5/9, 102 yds, 2 TD | Eli Manning: 7/12, 98 yds, 1 TD; Tyrod Taylor: 6/10, 110 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT; Derek Carr: 4/6, 78 yds, 1 TD |
| Rushing | Devonta Freeman: 6 att, 26 yds, 1 TD (receiving); Todd Gurley: 4 att, 18 yds; Darren Sproles: 3 att, 12 yds, 1 TD (receiving) | Doug Martin: 8 att, 35 yds, 1 TD; Lamar Miller: 5 att, 22 yds; Travis Kelce: 2 att, 10 yds (receiving context) |
| Receiving | Julio Jones: 3 rec, 45 yds, 1 TD; Allen Robinson: 2 rec, 105 yds, 1 TD; Delanie Walker: 2 rec, 65 yds, 1 TD; DeAndre Hopkins: 3 rec, 40 yds, 1 TD | Travis Kelce: 4 rec, 52 yds, 2 TD; Jarvis Landry: 3 rec, 60 yds, 1 TD; Amari Cooper: 2 rec, 35 yds |
| Defense | 6 INT (1 each by Sean Lee, Marcus Peters, Jurrell Casey, Harrison Smith, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, NaVorro Bowman); 2 sacks | 1 INT (by an unspecified defender); 1 sack; Forced fumbles limited |
| Kicking | No field goals attempted; extra points per game rules (7 successful for 7 TDs) | No field goals attempted; extra points per game rules (3 successful for 4 TDs, accounting for final score) |