NFL Future Hall of Famers - The Next 5 Years

[Archangel1775]

With the HOF process, up to 5 modern-era candidates can be selected each year. Since the 2021 Class, it's maxed out every year. I expect the same the rest of the decade. I've listed who I expect to be 1st Ballot Hall of Famers once they are eligible. I was undecided on players like Terrell Suggs(Finalist) Richard Sherman(2027), Jason Witten(2026), Shady McCoy(2026) and every O-lineman. Then you have Antonio Brown(2027) who might get "punished" for being a poor reflection of the NFL. I believe they all eventually get-in but not 1st ballot. Who do you think joins them? I used this site to assist https://futurefootballlegends.com/Top_Contenders/

2025
Luke Kuechly
Finalists:
Eli Manning (former New York Giants quarterback)
Antonio Gates (tight end)
Reggie Wayne (receiver)
Terrell Suggs (former defensive player of the year)
Anquan Boldin (wide receiver)
Torry Holt (wide receiver)
Steve Smith Sr. (wide receiver)

2026
Drew Brees
Larry Fitzgerald

2027
Adrian Peterson
Rob Gronkowski

2028
Tom Brady
JJ Watt

2029
Aaron Donald

[SleeperCards]

At first I thought you were saying Eli was going to be a 1st ballot, I misread. Those look solid, if I had to choose one to disagree with it would be Kuechly, just because I think he's the most likely of your 1st ballot guys to have to wait, but he still could be 1st ballot.

[patchgenie]

I think Jim Tyrer gets in.

[slyguy]

Luke Kuechly first ballot?
Antonio Brown not first ballot? (compared to the "peers" like of Holt and Boldin and Wayne and Andre Johnson???)

Allllll-righty then !

...Keuchley will likely get a sympathy jacket for the injury, but he was very fringe for the Hall based on on-field accomplishments and numbers. He's no Derrick Brooks or Ray Lewis or Urlacher. Patrick Willis and others were MUCH more dominant and on better teams. Luke is not even close to first ballot based on talent/numbers/winning. I truthfully don't think he's a HOF linebacker at all... many have been a tackle machine on bad teams and put up numbers like his - or better - and they are not HOF. Hardy Nickerson or London Fletcher or Derrick Johnson did more... and they'll probably never make the HOF - much less first ballot. Jmo.

Jared Allen DE and Hines Ward WR will get in, as will Woodson S probably (obviously not first ballot guys). OL is really hard to say and political for all but the shoe-in guys.

[Bosoxfan5990]

Vinatieri’s gonna be first ballot.

[majestik101]

Gronk getting in before Brady is wild

[xposipx]

Luke Kuechly first ballot?
Antonio Brown not first ballot? (compared to the "peers" like of Holt and Boldin and Wayne and Andre Johnson???)

Allllll-righty then !

...Keuchley will likely get a sympathy jacket for the injury, but he was very fringe for the Hall based on on-field accomplishments and numbers. He's no Derrick Brooks or Ray Lewis or Urlacher. Patrick Willis and others were MUCH more dominant and on better teams. Luke is not even close to first ballot based on talent/numbers/winning. I truthfully don't think he's a HOF linebacker at all... many have been a tackle machine on bad teams and put up numbers like his - or better - and they are not HOF. Hardy Nickerson or London Fletcher or Derrick Johnson did more... and they'll probably never make the HOF - much less first ballot. Jmo.

Jared Allen DE and Hines Ward WR will get in, as will Woodson S probably (obviously not first ballot guys). OL is really hard to say and political for all but the shoe-in guys.


Tell me you never watched a Panthers game without saying you never watched a Panthers game.



That said, I think Gates should be in 1st ballot also.

[Scottish Punk]

Hardy Nickerson is closer, but Fletcher and Derrick Johnson are nowhere near Kuechly. Kuechly was on the all decade team and won multiple DPOY awards. He is getting in no problem. Fletcher and Johnson are just good solid vets. Nickerson was at least at 2x All Pro (compared to Kuechly 5).

For the OP here are some others that are eligible in the coming years.
2026 - Maurkice Pouncey, Frank Gore, Geno Atkins, Phillip Rivers, David Decastro as well as the mention Jason Witten, Shady McCoy - Many of these will eventually make it.
2027 - The mentioned Sherman, Antonio Brown - others Big Ben, Alex Mack, Cam Newton, Eric Weddle, Malcom Jenkins, Gerald McCoy Not quite as bullish on this list - Big Ben will be a shoe in. Some others are closer
2028 - Matt Ryan, AJ Green, Devin McCourty - I am feeling for these
2029 - Pair of Eagles that are likely to get in - Jason Kelce and Fletcher Cox

[Natsfan32]

I think Gates should be in 1st ballot also.

I think so too but he was on the ballot last year

[Natsfan32]

Not sure why it is so hard for receivers to get in. Torry Holt and Reggie Wayne should have been elected years ago.

[JeremyNick]

The fact that you didn’t put Ben in for 2027 is cray cray.

[slyguy]

The fact that you didn’t put Ben in for 2027 is cray cray.I would assume off-field stuff.

BBen and Ant Brown are first ballot talents. They got results, dominated their positions (Roth less dominant but did it for longer... AB hugely dominant shorter timespan).

[slyguy]

... Kuechly was on the all decade team and won multiple DPOY awards. ...Nope, one (2013).
That was a year Watt played through Texans firing coach midseason and a 14-game losing streak.
Ed Reed and Ray Lewis were retired, Aaron Donald and Khalil Mack were still in college, and there just weren't many strong defense guys around.

Kuechley is a very good player, but he's essentially a tackle machine on mostly bad teams. Without the sympathy of the injury, he'd be ring-of-honor type guy and a borderline HOF at best. He'd be competing with guys like Suggs and others who did many game-changing plays in addition to just piling up tackles in games their team lost.

I'm not saying it's a popular opinion, but those be the facts. He is no Lewis, Urlacher, Brooks.
As said, Kuechley will get into HOF due to the concussions and being one of the poster guys for that. Probably not first ballot... that'd be a little obvious and a bit of a slap top guys who truly are (Watt mainly).

[Archangel1775]

Gronk getting in before Brady is wild

He retired a year earlier than TB12.

[Archangel1775]

At first I thought you were saying Eli was going to be a 1st ballot, I misread. Those look solid, if I had to choose one to disagree with it would be Kuechly, just because I think he's the most likely of your 1st ballot guys to have to wait, but he still could be 1st ballot.

The Panthers were a really good team for a short gap in the decade. Kuechly's career aligned with Cam Newtons. They didn't win the big one but at least played in the Super Bowl. It'll be hard to deny a player that was 1st or 2nd Team All-Pro every year he played, a DROY and DPOY. Kinda shocked he had 18 picks but it tells you how dynamic he was.

The fact that you didn’t put Ben in for 2027 is cray cray.

Honestly just forgot about him. Figured he was already in to be honest. I feel like he hasn't played since 2015 or something.

Luke Kuechly first ballot?
Antonio Brown not first ballot? (compared to the "peers" like of Holt and Boldin and Wayne and Andre Johnson???)

Allllll-righty then !



AB is easily 1st ballot NORMALLY. But he's not normal and that's why I posted that the voter's might punish him for his behavior. Terrell Owens was easily 1st Ballot talent and they definitely punished him.

[majestik101]

He retired a year earlier than TB12.

I'm not saying that there's shenanigans afoot. It's just the concept that he's going in before Brady which is just odd (to me).

Nope, one (2013).
That was a year Watt played through Texans firing coach midseason and a 14-game losing streak.
Ed Reed and Ray Lewis were retired, Aaron Donald and Khalil Mack were still in college, and there just weren't many strong defense guys around.

Kuechley is a very good player, but he's essentially a tackle machine on mostly bad teams. Without the sympathy of the injury, he'd be ring-of-honor type guy and a borderline HOF at best. He'd be competing with guys like Suggs and others who did many game-changing plays in addition to just piling up tackles in games their team lost.

I'm not saying it's a popular opinion, but those be the facts. He is no Lewis, Urlacher, Brooks.
As said, Kuechley will get into HOF due to the concussions and being one of the poster guys for that. Probably not first ballot... that'd be a little obvious and a bit of a slap top guys who truly are (Watt mainly).

I've never viewed Kuechly as an all-timer or even a HOF'er. Decent player and was dominant for a period. But Hall of Famer? That gets a Nah from me, Dawg.

[7sinVegas7]

Luke Kuechly first ballot? he was very fringe for the Hall based on on-field accomplishments and numbers.

Do you even watch football?

[Retired hobbist]

Hardy Nickerson is closer, but Fletcher and Derrick Johnson are nowhere near Kuechly. Kuechly was on the all decade team and won multiple DPOY awards. He is getting in no problem. Fletcher and Johnson are just good solid vets. Nickerson was at least at 2x All Pro (compared to Kuechly 5).

For the OP here are some others that are eligible in the coming years.
2026 - Maurkice Pouncey, Frank Gore, Geno Atkins, Phillip Rivers, David Decastro as well as the mention Jason Witten, Shady McCoy - Many of these will eventually make it.
2027 - The mentioned Sherman, Antonio Brown - others Big Ben, Alex Mack, Cam Newton, Eric Weddle, Malcom Jenkins, Gerald McCoy Not quite as bullish on this list - Big Ben will be a shoe in. Some others are closer
2028 - Matt Ryan, AJ Green, Devin McCourty - I am feeling for these
2029 - Pair of Eagles that are likely to get in - Jason Kelce and Fletcher Cox

Hardy Nickerson?

Isn't he a Veteran's committee guy now?

[jcp2]

Kuechly is a 7 time All Pro, 5 team first team. That puts you in automatically imo, don't care about anyones opinion. AB is not going in for a while. The last think the NFL wants is that lunatic talking at the enshrinement.

[mjekase]

I think Kuechly’s a first-ballot guy. Even beyond the resume, he’s widely considered a genius at the position by his peers and coaches.

1st ballot for WR’s are generational talents with shorter careers (Calvin Johnson) or top-15-20 statistically to me. Brown’s neither. He’s a HoF’er, just not the first go around.

[packman80]

Hardy Nickerson?

Isn't he a Veteran's committee guy now?

Not yet you are considered a modern day player until 25 years and he's been retired now for 22 seasons so he has 3 more seasons until he comes to the senior committee though don't see him as a HOF player at all.

[jcp2]

Not yet you are considered a modern day player until 25 years and he's been retired now for 22 seasons so he has 3 more seasons until he comes to the senior committee though don't see him as a HOF player at all.


For some reason linebackers who are not glorified DE's and sack specialists seem to get overlooked a bit imo. They also are not long in peoples memory unless they are on your favorite team. Hardy belongs in imo.

[majestik101]

Hardy Nickerson belongs in the HOF. Not first ballot, but will get in.

[Retired hobbist]

Not yet you are considered a modern day player until 25 years and he's been retired now for 22 seasons so he has 3 more seasons until he comes to the senior committee though don't see him as a HOF player at all.

Yes I looked it up and he began his career in the late 80's, I misremembered him starting his career a few years earlier and retiring in the late 90's.

I suspect if he makes it will be as a veteran's committee candidate as football doesn't have a history of candidates gathering steam like a snowball going downhill like baseball does.

[Noles939913]

Does no one else realize Kuechly was an All-Pro in 7/8 seasons?

"The light that burns twice as bright burns half as long."

[slyguy]

Does no one else realize Kuechly was an All-Pro in 7/8 seasons?

"The light that burns twice as bright burns half as long."Yes, but that means little. When you compare him to Derrick Brooks (9 all pro), Bobby Wagner, (11) and Ray Lewis (10) and many other LBs from the modern era, that's not very much at all for Luke. What Kuechley did is very low end for a modern HOF linebacker.

It's the Hall of Fame... not the Hall of a few good years.
A cute saying doesn't get them in.
Politics and a few good years might.

Again, I say Keuchley will get in (very unlikely first ballot) because he is a good player AND he's the poster guy for concussions/CTE, which is clearly a huge modern NFL issue. In terms of stats, he's very borderline. Luke was a tackle machine, but the teams he was on were usually below average, and many other guys did what he did better or for longer. Patrick Willis got in HOF last year, but he was more dominant and played on much better teams than Luke. But still, Kuechley will get in... the concussions see to that. If it were an ACL or Achilles or shoulder (and not concussions), there is a good chance he doesn't make the HOF.

Saquon Barkley will probably figure that out when his eligibility arrives for HOF: longevity matters. He may get the Terrell Davis / Gale Sayers treatment. He may not. Cam Newton or Daunte Culpepper or many others with a few big seasons obviously won't even be finalists. They needed to do it many more times.

[Noles939913]

Yes, but that means little. When you compare him to Derrick Brooks (9 all pro), Bobby Wagner, (11) and Ray Lewis (10) and many other LBs from the modern era, that's not very much at all for Luke. What Kuechley did is very low end for a modern HOF linebacker.

It's the Hall of Fame... not the Hall of a few good years.
A cute saying doesn't get them in.
Politics and a few good years might.

Again, I say Keuchley will get in (very unlikely first ballot) because he is a good player AND he's the poster guy for concussions/CTE, which is clearly a huge modern NFL issue. In terms of stats, he's very borderline. Luke was a tackle machine, but the teams he was on were usually below average, and many other guys did what he did better or for longer. Patrick Willis got in HOF last year, but he was more dominant and played on much better teams than Luke. But still, Kuechley will get in... the concussions see to that. If it were an ACL or Achilles or shoulder (and not concussions), there is a good chance he doesn't make the HOF.

Saquon Barkley will probably figure that out when his eligibility arrives for HOF: longevity matters. He may get the Terrell Davis / Gale Sayers treatment. He may not. Cam Newton or Daunte Culpepper or many others with a few big seasons obviously won't even be finalists. They needed to do it many more times.

With all due respect you seem to have little clue what you’re talking about. Remember how you said Tim Tebow cards are worthless? But in reality there are sticker autos of his from 2024 products fetching >$100. There are plenty of HOFers who played <10 years. Johnson, Willis, Sayers, Davis, Brown, etc. in the HOF.

And I wouldn’t say a quote from one of the greatest movies of all-time is simply “cute”. The movie isn’t cute at all. But I wouldn’t expect uncultured swine like yourself to have seen it.

Also no one but you considers 7 “a few”.

Speaking of Willis playing on much better teams he only went to the Playoffs three times while Kuechly did four times.

[Archangel1775]

For some reason linebackers who are not glorified DE's and sack specialists seem to get overlooked a bit imo. They also are not long in peoples memory unless they are on your favorite team. Hardy belongs in imo.

Sam Mills and Zach Thomas got theirs. Hopefully others do too.

[rnocards]

I want to see Rivers and Gates get into the HOF.

Rivers threw for 63,440 yards, which is fifth all-time, and threw for 421 touchdowns, which is also fifth all-time.

Gates has most touchdown receptions by a tight end in NFL history with 116.

They belong.

[mjekase]

Yes, but that means little. When you compare him to Derrick Brooks (9 all pro), Bobby Wagner, (11) and Ray Lewis (10) and many other LBs from the modern era, that's not very much at all for Luke. What Kuechley did is very low end for a modern HOF linebacker.


Kuechly has two more AP nods than Urlacher, who got in on the first ballot.
Kuechly having 7 in 8 years versus Brooks' 9 in 14...that's a difference of two in 5 extra years. How is that not very much at all and "very" low end for a modern LB?

And this concussions argument is one of the stranger things I've heard in regards to a guy's candidacy.

[2010GBPackers]

Kuechly's easily getting in.

Big Ben (will be) and AB (should be) 1st ballot guys as well.

[bmf]

At first I thought you were saying Eli was going to be a 1st ballot, I misread.

Will Eli eventually get in? If so, how many years will it take him would you guess? And if he gets in, do you think he deserves it or is it more the Manning name? I'm asking because while the Super Bowls are awesome, I'm not sure he was considered even a top five quarterback in the league at any point in his career. I don't think any other quarterback like that has made it in.

[matt roberson]

Will Eli eventually get in? If so, how many years will it take him would you guess? And if he gets in, do you think he deserves it or is it more the Manning name? I'm asking because while the Super Bowls are awesome, I'm not sure he was considered even a top five quarterback in the league at any point in his career. I don't think any other quarterback like that has made it in.

Elis first ballot.

not based on skill or accolades but purely because the was the David to TB12s goliath.

[JWBlue]

Is there really a discussion of whether Gates will get in? He is a first ballot LOCK.

Eli not first ballot. Not even a Hall of Fame player. Take away the 2 SB wins and is he a HOF player? Not even close. Flame away.

[rnocards]

Is there really a discussion of whether Gates will get in? He is a first ballot LOCK.

He was not elected on the first ballot last year. I'm hoping he gets in this year.

[Archangel1775]

He was not elected on the first ballot last year. I'm hoping he gets in this year.

Ridiculous that he wasn't but only 5 can go in every year.

[slyguy]

With all due respect you seem to have little clue what you’re talking about.

...no one but you considers 7 “a few”.

Speaking of Willis ....I am say Kuechley will get in.
He played very well for awhile (in NFL terms).
He was not as dominant as others, his longevity is not what others' did.
(not sure what Tim Tebow has to do with HoF?? lol)

You have to draw the line somewhere, though.
Remember Sean Taylor? Remember Shawne Merriman?
Those guys were game-wreckers who were WAY more terrorizing to opposing offenses then Luke friggin Kuechley ever was. But their careers were too short to ever get any consideration at all for the HOF. There is an endless list of guys with a few good years who aren't HOF candidates. An "average" career length is almost invariably not HOF. So, there has to be some cutoff where talent can't make up for a short career, no? Regardless of what anyone here thinks, the HOF typically votes that way.

Longevity matters.
Sean Taylor is no Ed Reed... because of longevity.
Shawne Merriman is no JJ Watt... because of longevity.
Kuechley is no Derrick Brooks due to longevity.

Kuechley will get in. First ballot would be a slap in the face top much greater modern LBs, but he'll get in. Patrick Willis was not first Ballot. I would say Kuechley's borderline for HOF on paper (good player but not very dominant or very long career compared to true HOF peer LBs). However, his head injuries were famous (well, infamous). Kuechley was the guy everyone remembers going off on the cart looking confused right at the same time player safety was becoming a big issue, Hollywood made a CTE movie, ESPN was talking about concussions, NFLPA was suing the league for billions, etc. The photos are well known and widely syndicated. He'll get in.

https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/6nD.WH0igtFZuTgn1YF_2Q--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTY0MDtoPTQ1Ng--/https://media.zenfs.com/en/carolina_panthers_wire_usa_today_sports_articles_855/675312c4e2f9b938e971fcb5ac7757db

[bmf]

Eli not first ballot. Not even a Hall of Fame player. Take away the 2 SB wins and is he a HOF player? Not even close. Flame away.

Yep. First ballot for Hall of Mediocre maybe but nothing more. But the Manning name/influence will get him in.

[mjekase]

I would say Kuechley's borderline for HOF on paper (good player but not very dominant..

How is first team All-Pro five out of seven seasons (and 2nd team the other two) plus a DPOY....not dominant?
I'm not even a Panthers/Kuechly fan and even I can see that he was a great player, even if it was for a shorter amount of time than some other guys.


Kuechley was the guy everyone remembers going off on the cart looking confused right at the same time player safety was becoming a big issue.
Define "everyone", because that's not how I remember him.

Also, you know all of this stuff about him, yet you can't even get his last name right.

[Archangel1775]

Here are the current Hall of Fame Inside Linebackers that started their careers after 1980.

Patrick Willis (8 seasons) (5-AP1)(1-AP2)
Ray Lewis (17 seasons) (A Lot-AP1/2)(2x DPOY)
Brian Urlacher (13 seasons) (4-AP1)(1 -AP2) (1x DPOY)
Derrick Brooks (14 seasons) (5-AP1)(4-AP2) (1x DPOY)
Junior Seau (20 seasons) (6-AP1)(3-AP2)
Mike Singletary (12 Seasons) (7-AP1) (2-AP2) (2x DPOY)

Luke Kuechly (8 seasons) (5x-AP1)(2x-AP2) (1x DPOY)

All 1st Ballot Hall of Famers except Patrick Willis who had to wait 4 years. Their careers mirror each other except the DPOY. That makes a big difference. Then the way he went out, as mentioned, concussions and the impact the CTE movement had on his career. I just don't see the voter's punishing him for that. I mean, what's the reasoning to make him wait? Are they going to say "Well, he was great for those 8 years but that whole CTE thing is overrated".

[7sinVegas7]

Luke Kuechly (8 seasons) (5x-AP1)(2x-AP2) (1x DPOY)

Tony Boselli (https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BoseTo00.htm) got in with fewer years played. Not year 1 and he moaned and bitched a lot.

[MFaulkCollector]

Yes, but that means little. When you compare him to Derrick Brooks (9 all pro), Bobby Wagner, (11) and Ray Lewis (10) and many other LBs from the modern era, that's not very much at all for Luke. What Kuechley did is very low end for a modern HOF linebacker.

It's the Hall of Fame... not the Hall of a few good years.
A cute saying doesn't get them in.
Politics and a few good years might.

Again, I say Keuchley will get in (very unlikely first ballot) because he is a good player AND he's the poster guy for concussions/CTE, which is clearly a huge modern NFL issue. In terms of stats, he's very borderline. Luke was a tackle machine, but the teams he was on were usually below average, and many other guys did what he did better or for longer. Patrick Willis got in HOF last year, but he was more dominant and played on much better teams than Luke. But still, Kuechley will get in... the concussions see to that. If it were an ACL or Achilles or shoulder (and not concussions), there is a good chance he doesn't make the HOF.

Saquon Barkley will probably figure that out when his eligibility arrives for HOF: longevity matters. He may get the Terrell Davis / Gale Sayers treatment. He may not. Cam Newton or Daunte Culpepper or many others with a few big seasons obviously won't even be finalists. They needed to do it many more times.

The volume of incompetent posts like this is getting really old. Just a bunch of false information and rhetoric.

First off, All Pro means AP first team. Pro football reference give you the check point for an AP first team all Pro nod...... it's a way to measure a players accolades through time and determine how particularly dominant a player was during the time they played. To say Bobby Wagner is an 11 time All Pro is non-sensical.

Luke Kuechly is a 5 time first team All Pro at the inside linebacker position...... there are only 4 players in NFL history who have more than those 5 (Ray Lewis 7, Mike Singletary 7, Jack Lambert 6, Bobby Wagner 6)

Kuechley's 5 AP1 teams are tied for 5th most with the following (Dick Butkus, Zach Thomas, Patrick Willis, Nick Buoniconti)

Of those 9 players........ only 5 have also won a DPOY ...... and Kuechly is one of them. To suggest what Kuechly did is somehow "very low end" for a modern player is both unfathomable and downright idiotic, period.


The next massive lie..... Kuechly was a tackling machine on bad teams? They won the NFC South 3 straight years from 2013-2015 and played in a Super Bowl. They won 34 regular reason games and multiple playoff games over those 3 years. They won 11 games in 2017 and two other seasons they were 7-9. Seems like they played in a lot of meaningful games and the teams overall certainly weren't bad. Someone above replied to one of your posts by saying...... tell me you haven't watched a Panthers game without telling me you haven't watched a Panthers game............ I'll do it one better, your posts tell me you haven't ever actually watched a pro football game.


And finally, you keep saying how little he did, how great other players are..... luckily..... there is a reference point we can go .... where they blend longevity with dominance, give values to certain awards, stats, etc. and compile a score..... then they list the scores from best ever right on down the line based on the formula. The site just happens to be Pro Football Reference, who would have guessed.

Luke Kuechly is rated the 5th best ILB ever.....above him in order are Dick Butkus, Jack Lambert, Mike Singletary, and Ray Lewis...... and below him in order are Brian Urlacher, Bobby Wagner, Zack Thomas, and Patrick Willis...... Willis is the cutoff for guys who are rated HIGHER than THE AVERAGE SCORE of a HOF ILB. And.......... if you look into the formula they use, number of concussions, race, looks, or anything else ridiculous like that is NOT included.

As far as first ballot, I'd put him in first ballot but I'd also have put in Patrick Willis first ballot, and I'd have also put in Zack Thomas first ballot.......... but the way this position is voted on tells me Kuechly will likely have to wait 1-2 years. Willis in my opinion is the best comp, but does not have the DPOY Kuechly does. It's probably a 50/50 toss up on first ballot or not..... but if someone suggests he isn't even a HOF...... they don't understand how the award is even voted on or what criteria matter

[Noles939913]

I am say Kuechley will get in.
He played very well for awhile (in NFL terms).
He was not as dominant as others, his longevity is not what others' did.
(not sure what Tim Tebow has to do with HoF?? lol)

You have to draw the line somewhere, though.
Remember Sean Taylor? Remember Shawne Merriman?
Those guys were game-wreckers who were WAY more terrorizing to opposing offenses then Luke friggin Kuechley ever was. But their careers were too short to ever get any consideration at all for the HOF. There is an endless list of guys with a few good years who aren't HOF candidates. An "average" career length is almost invariably not HOF. So, there has to be some cutoff where talent can't make up for a short career, no? Regardless of what anyone here thinks, the HOF typically votes that way.

Longevity matters.
Sean Taylor is no Ed Reed... because of longevity.
Shawne Merriman is no JJ Watt... because of longevity.
Kuechley is no Derrick Brooks due to longevity.

Kuechley will get in. First ballot would be a slap in the face top much greater modern LBs, but he'll get in. Patrick Willis was not first Ballot. I would say Kuechley's borderline for HOF on paper (good player but not very dominant or very long career compared to true HOF peer LBs). However, his head injuries were famous (well, infamous). Kuechley was the guy everyone remembers going off on the cart looking confused right at the same time player safety was becoming a big issue, Hollywood made a CTE movie, ESPN was talking about concussions, NFLPA was suing the league for billions, etc. The photos are well known and widely syndicated. He'll get in.

https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/6nD.WH0igtFZuTgn1YF_2Q--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTY0MDtoPTQ1Ng--/https://media.zenfs.com/en/carolina_panthers_wire_usa_today_sports_articles_855/675312c4e2f9b938e971fcb5ac7757db

Because you frequently have no clue what you’re talking about like when you said Tim Tebow cards are worthless so I cited that to prove my point.

[SteigerWRX]

I cant believe there are people in this thread that don't think Eli will be 1st ballot... Even saw some people questioning Big Ben being 1st ballot, insanity. Makes me wonder if its just the "younger generation" who weren't actually watching during their heyday.

[fabiani12333]

Tony Boselli (https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BoseTo00.htm) got in with fewer years played. Not year 1 and he moaned and bitched a lot.

Boselli, a total tactician with blocking. Shocking that he retired so young.

He seemed so quite and reserved while playing, but you're saying he b*tched about not getting in on year 1? Haha -- weird.

[Archangel1775]

I cant believe there are people in this thread that don't think Eli will be 1st ballot... Even saw some people questioning Big Ben being 1st ballot, insanity. Makes me wonder if its just the "younger generation" who weren't actually watching during their heyday.

Eli doesn't have great career stats are regular season accolades.Yes, I know, Super Bowls and TB12. 1st Ballot, I don't see it. HOF eventually, sure.

With Ben Roethlisberger, it has more to do with his off-field sexual misconduct and whether the committee, which is where it counts, punish him for that history.


Boselli, a total tactician with blocking. Shocking that he retired so young.

He seemed so quite and reserved while playing, but you're saying he b*tched about not getting in on year 1? Haha -- weird.

I dont even recall him complaining in the media. Did he even believe when he retired that he belonged?

[packman80]

2026 NFL HOF prediction

Senior Committee player X?
Senior Committee coach: BB

Modern Day Players

Locks: Drew Brees and Larry Fitzgerald

My other 3: Luke K, Adam V,

(one of these 3 OL: Willie A, Marshall Y, Jahir E.)

[Archangel1775]

2026 NFL HOF prediction

Senior Committee player X?
Senior Committee coach: BB

Modern Day Players

Locks: Drew Brees and Larry Fitzgerald

My other 3: Luke K, Adam V,

(one of these 3 OL: Willie A, Marshall Y, Jahir E.)

Its almost silly but it does seem the committee likes to balance out the position representations. Good balance on your list. O-Line is so difficult to pick but I would agree, just one of them makes it in. I think another WR between Holt, Wayne and Smith Sr. make it in. Not sure if Vinateri makes it on the 2nd ballot. He may have to wait for a year with Gronk or Brady. Kuechly, Suggs or Woodson should be the next defenders in. Now that I see where the committee stands, it could end up being Darren Woodson with the not having a problem with anyone waiting. So after Brees and Fitzgerald, one more WR, one more OL and one defender.

[McSizzle81]

Vinatieri’s gonna be first ballot.

Hige snub that he didn't get in. I know. He a kicker. But it's a position on an NFL team and he was the best to ever do it. JThe definition of clutch. Ice water in his veins. He played for WINNERS his entire career. His 4 time Superbowl champ
24 year long career. Guys like him get punished for thier position. Just a bummer. Voters got this so so wrong. He better be on next year!

[slyguy]

2026 NFL HOF prediction

Senior Committee player X?
Senior Committee coach: BB

Modern Day Players

Locks: Drew Brees and Larry Fitzgerald

My other 3: Luke K, Adam V,

(one of these 3 OL: Willie A, Marshall Y, Jahir E.)You were 0% on predicts this year, so......? :)

Keuchly is not very strong with Suggs hanging out, JJ Watt upcoming, Khalil Mack upcoming in a bit. Luke played diff position really, but in voter eyes, they're still all LBs.
If LK gets in, it's mainly a symp selection imo... I think his career was pretty short and he'll have to wait for another weak class. I'd think Eli would be in over most of those guys (not JJ, obviously). Jmo.

[packman80]

You were 0% on predicts this year, so......? :)

Keuchly is not very strong with Suggs hanging out, JJ Watt upcoming, Khalil Mack upcoming in a bit. Luke played diff position really, but in voter eyes, they're still all LBs.
If LK gets in, it's mainly a symp selection imo... I think his career was pretty short and he'll have to wait for another weak class. I'd think Eli would be in over most of those guys (not JJ, obviously). Jmo.

Well since I said sharpe would get in guess I am above zero what about your predictions this year. Eli is not that good people need to stop overrating the guy because he win 2 super bowls he was not that great a regular season QB. Eli will get in but there should be no rush just because his last name is Manning

[mjekase]

You were 0% on predicts this year, so......? :)

Keuchly is not very strong with Suggs hanging out, JJ Watt upcoming, Khalil Mack upcoming in a bit. Luke played diff position really, but in voter eyes, they're still all LBs.
If LK gets in, it's mainly a symp selection imo... I think his career was pretty short and he'll have to wait for another weak class. I'd think Eli would be in over most of those guys (not JJ, obviously). Jmo.

Khalil Mack is still playing. His candidacy - in at best 6 years - will in no way affect Kuechly.

[Archangel1775]

You were 0% on predicts this year, so......? :)

Keuchly is not very strong with Suggs hanging out, JJ Watt upcoming, Khalil Mack upcoming in a bit. Luke played diff position really, but in voter eyes, they're still all LBs.
If LK gets in, it's mainly a symp selection imo... I think his career was pretty short and he'll have to wait for another weak class. I'd think Eli would be in over most of those guys (not JJ, obviously). Jmo.

You know Khalil Mack is still an active player, right? Kuechly looks like he's going to follow the PWill route and have to wait a couple years now.

From what I can see, between 2015 and 2021, every modern-era finalist has eventually been selected to the HOF.

In 2022, only Willie Anderson has yet to be selected

In 2023, its Willie Anderson and Darren Woodson

Almost seems silly at least one of them didn't take a 4th spot this year.

I'm going to go 5 years back further and see if that is the patttern

[Archangel1775]

Here are the next 4 years

2026
Drew Brees
Larry Fitzgerald

2027
Adrian Peterson
Rob Gronkowski

2028
Tom Brady
JJ Watt

2029
Aaron Donald

In 2026, I think it definitely goes Willie Anderson as the only OL. We could see another 4th or 5th spot missing since its so close otherwise. I think the t needs to talk amongst themselves so they dont screw it up again like this year

[packman80]

Here are the next 4 years

2026
Drew Brees
Larry Fitzgerald

2027
Adrian Peterson
Rob Gronkowski

2028
Tom Brady
JJ Watt

2029
Aaron Donald

In 2026, I think it definitely goes Willie Anderson as the only OL. We could see another 4th or 5th spot missing since its so close otherwise. I think the t needs to talk amongst themselves so they dont screw it up again like this year

Does AP make it 1st ballot or does his off the field issues keep him off the 1st ballot?

[slyguy]

Does AP make it 1st ballot or does his off the field issues keep him off the 1st ballot?There is no way to keep him out.
He is top 5 in rushing yards and top 5 rush TDs and top 10 in scrimmage yards.
If All Day is not first ballot, that'd be far worse than TO.

AP has done literally everything a RB can do (MVP, OPOY, All Pro, stats)... and did it twice as long as most HOF RBs did. He was the unquestioned top player at his position in the NFL many of the years he played.

Tomlinson (most recent first ballot RB for HOF) was a better receiving back, but AD was 100% the best rusher of the modern era (Henry very good and will be HOF, but not as exciting or dominant or productive overall unless he goes for a few more years).

And nobody cares if you discipline kids with a switch (well, Minnesota is pretty democrat, so they did... misdemeanor charges and let him go). If anything, for HOF purposes, it shows you Peterson's numbers could've been even better - had he not missed a prime year of his career, which RBs don't get a whole lot of. He would've crept up the lists even further, but he's plenty high on all of them.

[Archangel1775]

I'm still shocked this class is so small. I understand there were some changes to the process but that wouldn't directly effect the 15 finalists voting process. Per the HOF site, the committee reduces it down from 15 to 10 to 7 finalists. So my question is, what is exactly the process to get that 80% for those final 7? Do they just pick their Top 5 of those 7 as that's the maximum modern-era you can put in? Is it a yeh or nah on each player. If the former, its just crazy the last 3 spots were that subjective.

[Archangel1775]

Since the year 2000, these were the following finalists to not be selected for the HOF:

Lester Hayes 4x
Bob Kuechenberg 8x
L.C. Greenwood 6x
Jim Marshall (Symbolic 25)
Roger Craig 2x
Joe Jacoby 2x
Everson Walls (Symbolic 25)
Clay Matthews (Symbolic 25)

All of the above fell off the modern era ballot

Symbolic 25 means they were a finalist on their last year of eligibility on the modern-era ballot

Below finalists have 25 years after retirement to stay on modern-era ballot:

Darren Woodson 3x Finalist (Ret 2003)
Torry Holt 6x Finalist (Ret 2008)
Willie Anderson 4x Finalist (Ret 2007)
Reggie Wayne 6x Finalist (Ret 2008)

[Archangel1775]

Tony Dungy, who happens to be on the selection committee is pissed that there was room to spare and many deserving players left.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/other/tony-dungy-calls-out-hall-of-fame-voters/ar-AA1yFqB9?ocid=msedgntp&pc=ASTS&cvid=bff6c658fb71425cf06f254a63056c1b&ei=12

[packman80]

HOF needs to set rules that they elect at least a min of 4 modern era players with a max of 6 allowed. Also a min of 2 senior player/coach/contributor to a max of 4. This way you will get at least 6 to a max of 10 people each year.

[slyguy]

I'm fine with it as-is.

It's the Hall of Fame... best of the best, not for guys who were ok for fantasy football for a few years or who were pretty good. That's what team the ring of honor ceremonies are for.

If they take max players every year even in weak years, it'll be as bad as baseball HoF. It needs to have standards, esp with modern inflated stats and increasingly more games per year.

[Archangel1775]

I'm fine with it as-is.

It's the Hall of Fame... best of the best, not for guys who were ok for fantasy football for a few years or who were pretty good. That's what team the ring of honor ceremonies are for.

If they take max players every year even in weak years, it'll be as bad as baseball HoF. It needs to have standards, esp with modern inflated stats and increasingly more games per year.

I understand that's what the Pro Football HOF is trying to push but as mentioned, practically all finalists since the year 2000 have been inducted. So only 2% of the Modern-Era Finalists. It may go back further but that's when I stopped looking. So my point is, its just prolonging the inevitable.