Jared Goff on Pro Bowl: 'There Should Be a Few More of Us Here'

Jared Goff reacts to participating in the 2023 Pro Bowl Games.

Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff had a sense that once the Philadelphia Eagles won the NFC, he would be getting a call to participate in the 2023 Pro Bowl. 

"I had a pretty good idea when Hurts went to the Super Bowl, but found out a day or two later and I was excited," Goff said, via the Lions team website. "It was a lot of fun. And, my family's here and a couple of friends, and it's always fun to be here around these guys."

After one of his best seasons as a pro, Goff is enjoying his time in Las Vegas, especially with the other three Lions named to the revamped skills competition. 

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"I've enjoyed it. It's fun," Goff said. "It's fun to watch guys compete in things that they're not usually doing and being able to hang out with some guys and not be so pressed to get ready for a game so much. But, a flag football game is a little bit more enjoyable to me."

The 28-year-old quarterback was named to the Pro Bowl, along with wideout Amon-Ra St. Brown, right tackle Penei Sewell and center Frank Ragnow. 

Detroit's talented center was the only Lions player voted into the Pro Bowl, as the other three were added to the event as alternates. 

"You can easily make the argument that there should be a few more of us here," Goff explained. "But, it's been great to see them here and to see them enjoy it, especially Penei and St. Brown in their first one. To see them experience this around these guys, it's a lot of fun for me being an older guy and it's great."

Playing flag football

The decision to change formats was largely in response to the negative reaction of fans and pundits to past Pro Bowl contests that involved virtually no tackling. The game barely resembled the game of football, and received harsh backlash from critics who wanted to do away completely with the game. 

Now, players will be participating in a flag football game that has the potential to become competitive between the NFC and AFC squads. 

"I think the competition is going to turn up a little bit," said Goff. "I think we've had some good competitive mini-games, or whatever you want to call them. Just fun, fun games. But, I think guys are kind of ready to play our sport, and be able to compete for a win."