The 2021 Pro Bowl was to be the National Football League (NFL) all-star game for the 2020 NFL season, originally scheduled to be played on January 31, 2021, at Allegiant Stadium in Paradise, Nevada.
On October 14, 2020, the NFL announced that it had canceled the game due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and had deferred Las Vegas's hosting of the game to 2022. The league still conducted a fan vote to determine the Pro Bowl rosters, and instead organized alternative festivities such as Verzuz "highlight battles" featuring NFL players; and an esports exhibition featuring a game of Madden NFL 21 played with the Pro Bowl rosters (controlled by teams of NFL players, alumni, and celebrity guests) that was won by the NFC 32–12.
Background The original site for the game was announced on June 16, 2020. The Las Vegas Raiders' home Allegiant Stadium's bid won out over Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida, and SoFi Stadium in the Los Angeles metro area.
On October 14, 2020, the league decided to cancel the game amid the COVID-19 pandemic, and Allegiant Stadium was awarded the 2022 Pro Bowl instead. The league further announced that voting would still occur for Pro Bowl rosters for the 2020 season (as Pro Bowl roster selections impact salary clauses in rookie contracts), and that they would instead hold alternative events to honor the players chosen. Voting began on November 17, 2020, on the NFL's website and Madden NFL 21, and on Twitter starting on December 1. Voting on all platforms then ended on December 17 with the rosters being announced on December 21.
Alternative events The NFL partnered with Verzuz to air a series of Pro Bowl "highlight battles" from January 26 through 29.
ABC, ESPN, and Disney XD aired a television special on January 31 in place of the game—the Pro Bowl Celebration—which was presented by ESPN's NFL studio analysts, and featured segments and interviews honoring the Pro Bowl roster.
Pro Bowl esports exhibition The esports exhibition was played from the respective homes of several players and celebrities. In order, quarterback Deshaun Watson (Houston Texans), former wide receiver Keyshawn Johnson, running back Derrick Henry (Tennessee Titans), and rapper Snoop Dogg each played one quarter as the AFC team, while quarterback Kyler Murray (Arizona Cardinals), NASCAR Cup Series driver Bubba Wallace (23XI Racing), strong safety Jamal Adams (Seattle Seahawks), and former running back Marshawn Lynch each played one quarter as the NFC team.
Esports box score
AFC roster Offense PositionStarter(s)Reserve(s)Quarterback Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Josh Allen, Buffalo Deshaun Watson, HoustonRunning back Derrick Henry, Tennessee Nick Chubb, Cleveland Josh Jacobs, Las VegasFullback Patrick Ricard, BaltimoreWide receiver Tyreek Hill, Kansas City Stefon Diggs, Buffalo Keenan Allen, LA Chargers A. J. Brown, TennesseeTight end Travis Kelce, Kansas City Darren Waller, Las VegasOffensive tackle Eric Fisher, Kansas City Laremy Tunsil, Houston Orlando Brown Jr., BaltimoreOffensive guard Joel Bitonio, Cleveland Quenton Nelson, Indianapolis David DeCastro, PittsburghCenter Maurkice Pouncey, Pittsburgh Ryan Kelly, Indianapolis
Defense PositionStarter(s)Reserve(s)Defensive end Joey Bosa, LA Chargers Myles Garrett, Cleveland Frank Clark, Kansas CityDefensive tackle Cameron Heyward, Pittsburgh Chris Jones, Kansas City Calais Campbell, BaltimoreOutside linebacker Bradley Chubb, Denver T. J. Watt, Pittsburgh Matthew Judon, BaltimoreInside linebacker Darius Leonard, Indianapolis Tremaine Edmunds, BuffaloCornerback Xavien Howard, Miami Tre'Davious White, Buffalo Stephon Gilmore, New England Marlon Humphrey, BaltimoreFree safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, Pittsburgh Justin Simmons, DenverStrong safety Tyrann Mathieu, Kansas City
Special teams PositionStarter(s)Punter Jake Bailey, New EnglandPlacekicker Justin Tucker, BaltimoreReturn specialist Andre Roberts, BuffaloSpecial teams Matthew Slater, New EnglandLong snapper Morgan Cox, Baltimore
NFC roster Offense Position(s)Starter(s)Reserve(s)Quarterback Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Russell Wilson, Seattle Kyler Murray, ArizonaRunning back Dalvin Cook, Minnesota Alvin Kamara, New Orleans Aaron Jones, Green BayFullback Kyle Juszczyk, San FranciscoWide receiver Davante Adams, Green Bay DeAndre Hopkins, Arizona DK Metcalf, Seattle Justin Jefferson, MinnesotaTight end T. J. Hockenson, Detroit Evan Engram, NY GiantsOffensive tackle David Bakhtiari, Green Bay Trent Williams, San Francisco Terron Armstead, New OrleansOffensive guard Brandon Scherff, Washington Elgton Jenkins, Green Bay Andrus Peat, New OrleansCenter Jason Kelce, Philadelphia Frank Ragnow, Detroit
Defense PositionStarter(s)Reserve(s)Defensive end Cameron Jordan, New Orleans Brandon Graham, Philadelphia Chase Young, WashingtonDefensive tackle Aaron Donald, LA Rams Fletcher Cox, Philadelphia Grady Jarrett, AtlantaOutside linebacker Za'Darius Smith, Green Bay Khalil Mack, Chicago Jason Pierre-Paul, Tampa BayInside linebacker Bobby Wagner, Seattle Fred Warner, San FranciscoCornerback Jalen Ramsey, LA Rams Jaire Alexander, Green Bay Marshon Lattimore, New Orleans James Bradberry, NY GiantsFree safety Quandre Diggs, Seattle Jamal Adams, SeattleStrong safety Budda Baker, Arizona
Special teams PositionStarter(s)Punter Jack Fox, DetroitPlacekicker Younghoe Koo, AtlantaReturn specialist Cordarrelle Patterson, ChicagoSpecial teams Nick Bellore, SeattleLong snapper Tyler Ott, Seattle
Number of selections per team +American Football Conference Team SelectionsBaltimore Ravens 7Buffalo Bills 5Cincinnati Bengals 0Cleveland Browns 3Denver Broncos 2Houston Texans 2Indianapolis Colts 3Jacksonville Jaguars 0Kansas City Chiefs 7Los Angeles Chargers 2Las Vegas Raiders 2Miami Dolphins 1New England Patriots 3New York Jets 0Pittsburgh Steelers 5Tennessee Titans 2+National Football Conference Team SelectionsArizona Cardinals 3Atlanta Falcons 2Carolina Panthers 0Chicago Bears 2Dallas Cowboys 0Detroit Lions 3Green Bay Packers 7Los Angeles Rams 2Minnesota Vikings 2New Orleans Saints 5New York Giants 2Philadelphia Eagles 3San Francisco 49ers 3Seattle Seahawks 7Tampa Bay Buccaneers 1Washington Football Team 2
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