Not everyone cheered the demise of the Pro Bowl Games.

The NFL announced late last month it was doing away with what had been the Pro Bowl from 1951-2022 and the Pro Bowl Games from 2023-26. Instead, the NFL will designate 88 voted-upon players as Pro Bowl selections and honor them in Los Angeles in February, with the Super Bowl being at SoFi Stadium in suburban Inglewood, Calif.

Broncos star cornerback Pat Surtain II was a Pro Bowl selection each of the past four seasons. For the Pro Bowl Games, he went to Las Vegas after the 2022 season followed by two visits to Orlando, Fla., and then after last season one to San Francisco. The Pro Bowl Games, which replaced a game being played with pads, consisted of a flag football game and skill competitions.

“I think it’s still cool at least players get honored,” Surtain said. “But I liked the Pro Bowl Games, being out there and just having fun with different activities and just interacting with the fans. … I liked the skills competition. I don’t know about the flag football.”

While Surtain likes that Pro Bowl players, who will continue to be voted upon by fans and NFL players and coaches, will be brought to Los Angeles, he would like to see some sort of competition still be held.

“I think it would be a better addition if they just did like skill games,’’ he said.

Broncos linebacker Nik Bonitto has made the past two Pro Bowls, taking trips to Orlando and San Francisco.

“I was sad,’’ Bonitto said about hearing of the elimination of the Pro Bowl Games. “I don’t get a free vacation anymore. But it’s been leaning that way for a while (of the NFL eliminating the game).”

Informed that players will be brought to Los Angeles to be honored, Bonitto perked up.

“I’ll take that,’’ he said. “We get a free vacation out of it. I’ll be happy for sure. … I just want the vacation. That’s all.”

Broncos guard Quinn Meinerz was offered a spot as a Pro Bowl alternate after the 2024 season but declined because he only wanted to be honored as an initial selection. He was named an initial selection last season but didn’t go to San Francisco due to personal reasons.

“I don’t care,’’ Meinerz said when asked about the NFL eliminating the Pro Bowl Games.

The NFL held a Pro Bowl game for more than 70 years but it eventually was dumped due to not being competitive. That led to the creation of the Pro Bowl Games, which received some criticism.

Another issue was the watering down of Pro Bowl selections due to replacement players being named. Numerous replacements began to be named starting with the 2009 season, when the Pro Bowl was moved from before the Super Bowl to after the Super Bowl and all selections taking part in the big game were replaced.

In recent years, there have been numerous other players dropping out due to injuries and other reasons. That resulted in Cleveland quarterback and former Colorado star Shedeur Sanders being named a Pro Bowler as a deep alternate last season after he started just seven games as a rookie and threw seven touchdown passes with 10 interceptions.

Humphrey and Payton

For the seventh season in his eight-year career, wide receiver Lil’Jordan Humphrey will have Sean Payton as his head coach.

Humphrey had Payton with New Orleans from 2019-21. He spent 2022 with New England when Payton was out of coaching. Then he joined Payton on the Broncos in 2023. Humphrey, though, did spend the first half of last season with the New York Giants.

“It’s the same old,’’ Humphrey said. “Just here to work and win games.”

Two years ago, Humphrey started the season on Denver’s practice squad in a prearranged deal in which he would be elevated for early-season games before being signed to the 53-man roster. There was no risk of Humphrey going to another team because he was a vested veteran and didn’t have to go through waivers.

Humphrey, though, said there was no discussion this season of Denver using the same maneuver with him. The Broncos did use that tactic with running back Adam Prentice and long snapper Mitchell Fraboni.

“I was blessed to make the initial 53,” said Humphrey, who started last season on the Giants’ practice squad. “That’s been a goal I’ve been striving for the past couple years, so I’m happy about that.”

Humphrey is the sixth receiver on Denver’s roster. He is unsure whether he will be active in Monday night’s opener at Kansas City.

Jackson ‘excited’ to make 53

After spending his first two NFL seasons on a practice squad, former Air Force star Jordan Jackson made the Broncos’ 53-man roster for the third straight year.

“I think every year it’s a blessing,’’ said the defensive lineman. “You never really khow how it’s going to go. I’m excited. I’m happy to be here.”

Jackson spent 2022 on New Orleans’ practice squad and 2023 on Denver’s squad. After making the 53-man roster in 2024, he played in all 17 regular-season games. However, he got into just five games last season while being inactive for the other 12.

“I just try to improve every day,’’ said Jackson, expected to be active against the Chiefs after a strong training camp and preseason. “I think that’s kind of what’s helped me to get where I am now.”

Broncos work out 3 LBs

The Broncos on Friday worked out three linebackers, but a source said there were no immediate plans to sign any.

Working out were Cam Goode, Jahfari Harvey and Elliott Brown. Goode played in 37 games with Miami from 2023-25 and Harvey got into two games with Las Vegas in 2025. Brown recently was waived by Arizona. He played for Edmonton in the Canadian Football League from 2023-24, which included being a CFL West All-Star in 2024.