NFL Hall of Fame Finalists...

[dawgstudent]

Who makes it?

https://www.profootballhof.com/news/2025/12/15-modern-era-players-announced-as-finalists-for-pro-football-hall-of-fame%E2%80%99s-class-of-2026/

• Willie Anderson, Tackle — 1996-2007 Cincinnati Bengals, 2008 Baltimore Ravens
• Drew Brees, Quarterback — 2001-05 San Diego Chargers, 2006-2020 New Orleans Saints
• Jahri Evans, Guard — 2006-2016 New Orleans Saints, 2017 Green Bay Packers
• Larry Fitzgerald, Wide Receiver — 2004-2020 Arizona Cardinals
• Frank Gore, Running Back — 2005-2014 San Francisco 49ers, 2015-17 Indianapolis Colts, 2018 Miami Dolphins, 2019 Buffalo Bills, 2020 New York Jets
• Torry Holt, Wide Receiver — 1999-2008 St. Louis Rams, 2009 Jacksonville Jaguars
• Luke Kuechly, Linebacker — 2012-19 Carolina Panthers
• Eli Manning, Quarterback — 2004-2019 New York Giants
• Terrell Suggs, Outside Linebacker/Defensive End — 2003-2018 Baltimore Ravens, 2019 Arizona Cardinals, 2019 Kansas City Chiefs
• Adam Vinatieri, Kicker — 1996-2005 New England Patriots, 2006-2019 Indianapolis Colts
• Reggie Wayne, Wide Receiver — 2001-2014 Indianapolis Colts
• Kevin Williams, Defensive Tackle — 2003-2013 Minnesota Vikings, 2014 Seattle Seahawks, 2015 New Orleans Saints
• Jason Witten, Tight End — 2003-2017, 2019 Dallas Cowboys, 2020 Las Vegas Raiders
• Darren Woodson, Safety — 1992-2003 Dallas Cowboys
• Marshal Yanda, Guard/Tackle — 2007-2019 Baltimore Ravens

 

[dawgstudent]

Definite - Brees, Fitzgerald, Vinatieri, Witten, Suggs
Maybe - Evans, Holt, Manning, Wayne, Woodson, Gore

Not feeling any of the others.

 

[Predestined]

Woodson way overdue. All time cowboy tackle leader changed the way safety position played. Not sure why he isn't in over some contemporaries but time to remedy that wrong.

 

[Bulldog Bruce]

Luke Kuechly was a great player. I remember much discussion about him when he played.

 

[dawgstudent]

Luke Kuechly was a great player. I remember much discussion about him when he played.

I just don't think he played long enough.

 

[DesotoCountyDawg]

Gore eventually gets in but not first ballot. He’s number 3 all time in rushing yards.

Brees, Fitzgerald, Vinatieri, Witten, and Suggs are no doubters.

ETA: Really don’t understand why Darren Woodson isn’t already in the HOF.

 

[Bulldog Bruce]

I just don't think he played long enough.

Injury comes into play for him and allows for great players who had short careers get into HOFs. Like Gale Sayers, Terrell Davis, Sterling Sharpe and Ralph Kiner had relatively short careers but stood out during their time.

 

[jethreauxdawg]

That’s a strong list. Manning is a definite. You don’t lead a NY team to two Super Bowl wins and not get in.

 

[HRMSU]

Gore eventually gets in but not first ballot. He’s number 3 all time in rushing yards.

Brees, Fitzgerald, Vinatieri, Witten, and Suggs are no doubters.

ETA: Really don’t understand why Darren Woodson isn’t already in the HOF.

Woodson redefined the position. He doesn't have the "numbers"/ stats as comparable peers but at one time he didn't have a peer. Local Dallas sports talk guy who played at LSU and in the NFL said he played with Darren and some of his contemporaries who are already HOF'ers; he said Darren was better and it wasn't even close. He too said it was a stats thing and some Cowboy hate/fatigue. People don't realize the Triplet teams had #1 defense and top 5-10 defense. Darren led that.

 

[dawgstudent]

That’s a strong list. Manning is a definite. You don’t lead a NY team to two Super Bowl wins and not get in.

Problem is his overall career record. 117-117.

 

[kired]

I feel like Holy deserves to get in eventually. He was consistently one of the top WRs every year for almost an entire decade

 

[dawgstudent]

Injury comes into play for him and allows for great players who had short careers get into HOFs. Like Gale Sayers, Terrell Davis, Sterling Sharpe and Ralph Kiner had relatively short careers but stood out during their time.

The 3 football players you mentioned are all offensive players. I just think it will be hard for a defensive player who only played 7 seasons.

 

[shep9332]

That’s a strong list. Manning is a definite. You don’t lead a NY team to two Super Bowl wins and not get in.

Eli definitely gets in... with a ticket.

 

[Wesson Bulldog]

That’s a strong list. Manning is a definite. You don’t lead a NY team to two Super Bowl wins and not get in.

Two Super Bowl wins over Brady as an underdog in Brady's prime. That one stat alone cancels the 117-117 record.

 

[Chesusdog]

Brees- hell yes
Fitzgerald- see above
Holt- he and Isaac Bruce were an unstoppable tandem for a few years, would definitely get my vote
Kuechley- good LB, but would hold or commit PI on anyone he had to cover in pass defense. That's a no for me.
Manning- yes, but 17 him and his stupid face
Suggs- yes
Wayne- yes
Witten- yes
Woodson- yes

 

[Perd Hapley]

Definite - Brees, Fitzgerald, Vinatieri, Witten, Suggs
Maybe - Evans, Holt, Manning, Wayne, Woodson, Gore

Not feeling any of the others.

The only 2 definite should be Brees and Fitzgerald.

Witten - didn’t do anything super special at all, except for play for a really long time and play in an era where passing game really took off in the NFL. There are only 10 TE’s total in the NFL HoF, and Witten’s career overlapped with 4 guys that were all head and shoulders better and either already are, or will be guaranteed first ballot HoF - Tony Gonzalez (GOAT), Kelce, Gates, and Gronk. I’m not buying in that he should be there. I think as the years go by you will see many, many players exceed his peak years at the TE position.

Vinatieri - similar problem to Witten. Its an exclusivity problem, and while he was very good - his HoF case is pretty much built on longevity, coat-tail riding with Brady / Pats, and nothing else. There are only 2 kickers in the Hall of Fame - Morten Anderson and Joe Stenerud. The biggest problem Vinatieri has is career overlap with Justin Tucker - who is objectively the greatest kicker of all-time. Tucker was a 5-time First team All-Pro selection (2 more than any other kicker in history), 7 time Pro-Bowler which is tied for the most with any other kicker, and he only played for 13 seasons. If you think the 4th best kicker in history should be in the HoF, then sure, put him in.

Suggs - Another maybe, but probably has a better case than Witten and AV. Was only 1st Team All-Pro one time, which is a problem. Career overlap of 5+ years with several players who were better - Seau, Brooks, Mack, Miller, Ware. Only 16 OLB’s in the HoF, so playing alongside 5 better ones weakens his case.

NFL Hall of Fame is pretty damn exclusive. The highest bar out of any of the pro sports. I don’t think people realize how many really, really good players don’t make it.

 

[Perd Hapley]

Problem is his overall career record. 117-117.

His record is much less of a problem than him not even being a Top 10 QB in the league for most years of his career.

 

[dawgstudent]

His record is much less of a problem than him not even being a Top 10 QB in the league for most years of his career.

Probably due to his record.

 

[Drebin]

Two Super Bowl wins over Brady as an underdog in Brady's prime. That one stat alone cancels the 117-117 record.

For the HOF voters that vote out of emotion, yes. But in the real world, a HOF berth is supposed to be reflective of a sustained lengthy career of excellence, not just playing well in two big games. He belongs in the "Hall of Pretty Good" right next to his daddy.

And let's be honest if one guy doesn't make an absolute circus catch in one of those games, he doesn't even have that on his resume.

He'll get in at some point though, because the voters can be stupid.

 

[jethreauxdawg]

The only 2 definite should be Brees and Fitzgerald.

Witten - didn’t do anything super special at all, except for play for a really long time and play in an era where passing game really took off in the NFL. There are only 10 TE’s total in the NFL HoF, and Witten’s career overlapped with 3 guys that were all head and shoulders better and either already are, or will be guaranteed first ballot HoF - Tony Gonzalez (GOAT), Kelce, and Gronk. I’m not buying in that he should be there. I think as the years go by you will see many, many players exceed his peak years at the TE position.

Vinatieri - similar problem to Witten. Its an exclusivity problem, and while he was very good - his HoF case is pretty much built on longevity, coat-tail riding with Brady / Pats, and nothing else. There are only 2 kickers in the Hall of Fame - Morten Anderson and Joe Stenerud. The biggest problem Vinatieri has is career overlap with Justin Tucker - who is objectively the greatest kicker of all-time. Tucker was a 5-time First team All-Pro selection (2 more than any other kicker in history), 7 time Pro-Bowler which is tied for the most with any other kicker, and he only played for 13 seasons. If you think the 4th best kicker in history should be in the HoF, then sure, put him in.

Suggs - Another maybe, but probably has a better case than Witten and AV. Was only 1st Team All-Pro one time, which is a problem. Career overlap of 5+ years with several players who were better - Seau, Brooks, Mack, Miller, Ware. Only 16 OLB’s in the HoF, so playing alongside 5 better ones weakens his case.

NFL Hall of Fame is pretty damn exclusive. The highest bar out of any of the pro sports. I don’t think people realize how many really, really good players don’t make it.

Vinatieri has some pretty clutch kicks on his resume.

 

[Bulldog Bruce]

The 3 football players you mentioned are all offensive players. I just think it will be hard for a defensive player who only played 7 seasons.

Agree, but the fact he even made this list, puts him in a strong position. All your reasoning would make it hard for him to get this far. It took Sharpe quite awhile.

 

[Bobby Ricigliano]

There are only 2 kickers in the Hall of Fame - Morten Anderson and Joe Jan Stenerud.

And it’s wild that they’re both Scandinavian.

 

[thedoubledeuce]

That’s a strong list. Manning is a definite. You don’t lead a NY team to two Super Bowl wins and not get in.

It's the Hall of Fame so I think he gets in eventually. If it were the Hall of Excellence, then definitely not.

 

[Perd Hapley]

And let's be honest if one guy doesn't make an absolute circus catch in one of those games, he doesn't even have that on his resume.

Thank you. This is where his case completely falls apart. And I’ll build on that statement and say not only was it a circus catch, but it was a circus catch on an underthrown ball that was tossed up for grabs in double coverage, which was only made possible by BOTH defenders not turning around in time.

If you’re truly a Hall of Fame player with a career spanning 16 years, your career HoF resume can’t be made totally ordinary just by changing the outcome of a single lucky play - one in which you did not make a good play at all, but still got totally bailed out. That was the case with Eli. He’s freaking Joe Flacco without that play.

 

[Perd Hapley]

Vinatieri has some pretty clutch kicks on his resume.

Of course he does. I would expect the 4th greatest kicker of all time to make many clutch kicks in his career.

The ultimate question is less about how good Vinatieri was, and more about how many HoF spots you want to allocate for kickers?

 

[anon1768925248]

That’s a strong list. Manning is a definite. You don’t lead a NY team to two Super Bowl wins and not get in.

He’s a definite because of his name. He was .500 as a quarterback and threw 17 int’s a year. He was average for large portions of his career and had 2 magical postseasons. That should not be a HOF resume.

 

[Perd Hapley]

Probably due to his record.

Haha. I think its more the other way around. His record wasn’t good because he wasn’t that good.

Led the whole NFL in interceptions 3 times in 14 seasons as a starter. 1 of those 3 times was the first Super Bowl season, which was proof positive that the Giants won that title in spite of Eli and not because of him.

QBR below 60 in 9 of those 14 seasons.

Passer rating below 90 in 9 of 14 seasons.

Passer rating below 80 in 4 of 14 seasons.

 

[patdog]

Problem is his overall career record. 117-117.

His name & the fact he played for one of the biggest franchises will get him in. But he was a pretty mediocre QB.

 

[DesotoCountyDawg]

His name & the fact he played for one of the biggest franchises will get him in. But he was a pretty mediocre QB.

He was a decent QB on a slightly above average franchise that struck gold twice.

Not a HOFer. Also he missed very little to injury which is pretty remarkable.

 

[aTotal360]

Brees is first ballot considering what he did with the Chargers.

 

[POTUS]

Gore playing running back for 15 seasons is wild. Not sure if HoF worthy, but just a crazy accomplishment.

Also when I looked it up I saw Emmitt Smith had 4,400+ carries. That's almost 600 more than second place (Payton). That record might never be touched.

 

[anon1768925248]

Gore playing running back for 15 seasons is wild. Not sure if HoF worthy, but just a crazy accomplishment.

Also when I looked it up I saw Emmitt Smith had 4,400+ carries. That's almost 600 more than second place (Payton). That record might never be touched.

Can you imagine if Barry Sanders got to play behind an Emmitt Smith OL? Emmitt was a really good player, but he was very blessed to play 4-5 years before the salary cap era for a team that just bought up everyone.

 

[DesotoCountyDawg]

Can you imagine if Barry Sanders got to play behind an Emmitt Smith OL? Emmitt was a really good player, but he was very blessed to play 4-5 years before the salary cap era for a team that just bought up everyone.

Emmitt Smith is the most overrated running back. Ran behind probably one of the most dominant offensive lines ever and had one of the best fullbacks to ever play the game lead blocking for him.

 

[Theconnormead]

Who makes it?

https://www.profootballhof.com/news/2025/12/15-modern-era-players-announced-as-finalists-for-pro-football-hall-of-fame%E2%80%99s-class-of-2026/

• Willie Anderson, Tackle — 1996-2007 Cincinnati Bengals, 2008 Baltimore Ravens
• Drew Brees, Quarterback — 2001-05 San Diego Chargers, 2006-2020 New Orleans Saints
• Jahri Evans, Guard — 2006-2016 New Orleans Saints, 2017 Green Bay Packers
• Larry Fitzgerald, Wide Receiver — 2004-2020 Arizona Cardinals
• Frank Gore, Running Back — 2005-2014 San Francisco 49ers, 2015-17 Indianapolis Colts, 2018 Miami Dolphins, 2019 Buffalo Bills, 2020 New York Jets
• Torry Holt, Wide Receiver — 1999-2008 St. Louis Rams, 2009 Jacksonville Jaguars
• Luke Kuechly, Linebacker — 2012-19 Carolina Panthers
• Eli Manning, Quarterback — 2004-2019 New York Giants
• Terrell Suggs, Outside Linebacker/Defensive End — 2003-2018 Baltimore Ravens, 2019 Arizona Cardinals, 2019 Kansas City Chiefs
• Adam Vinatieri, Kicker — 1996-2005 New England Patriots, 2006-2019 Indianapolis Colts
• Reggie Wayne, Wide Receiver — 2001-2014 Indianapolis Colts
• Kevin Williams, Defensive Tackle — 2003-2013 Minnesota Vikings, 2014 Seattle Seahawks, 2015 New Orleans Saints
• Jason Witten, Tight End — 2003-2017, 2019 Dallas Cowboys, 2020 Las Vegas Raiders
• Darren Woodson, Safety — 1992-2003 Dallas Cowboys
• Marshal Yanda, Guard/Tackle — 2007-2019 Baltimore Ravens

I’ve never really understood the whole “first-ballot vs. second or third” debate. The numbers don’t change. Feels a lot like former high school players — they somehow get better the further removed they are from their playing days.

 

[anon1768925248]

Emmitt Smith is the most overrated running back. Ran behind probably one of the most dominant offensive lines ever and had one of the best fullbacks to ever play the game lead blocking for him.

I was gonna go easy on him but I agree he is very overrated.

 

[aTotal360]

Emmitt Smith is the most overrated running back. Ran behind probably one of the most dominant offensive lines ever and had one of the best fullbacks to ever play the game lead blocking for him.

Emmitt Smith is the Troy Aikman of runningbacks.

 

[Perd Hapley]

I’ve never really understood the whole “first-ballot vs. second or third” debate. The numbers don’t change.

First ballot vs. 2nd, 3rd, etc. is two-fold discussion.

First off, you’re right that the numbers don’t change, but other contenders with similar or better numbers are emerging all the time. First ballot HoF is only for players who had a career so transcendent that it will obviously not be met or surpassed by nearly enough players (or anyone) in the near future.

The rest of players often get the “wait and see” approach to better gauge their careers against other guys still playing….to see if their success was more tied to the era they played in, or if it was truly exceptional. For this reason, there are very few 2nd ballot Hall of Famers. If you’re not in on the first go round, it often takes at least 3-4 more years, at least.

The other part is that there’s a hard cap on number of players that can get in per year. 4-8 players is the range that can get in any given year. If a class as a whole is strong, it can hurt fringe players until future years when there aren’t as many candidates.

Feels a lot like former high school players — they somehow get better the further removed they are from their playing days.

It’s actually the opposite in this case. The further away you get from your playing days without getting voted in, the less likely you are to make it.

 

[FlotownDawg]

Eli Manning had a very weird career. He was pretty good not great for the vast majority of his career but turned into Joe Montana in two playoff runs which ended in Super Bowls. The two years Eli won the Super Bowl, the Giants had a 10-6 and 9-7 regular season record.

 

[Pink Floyd.sixpack]

Gore is third all time in yardage. That alone should get him in first ballot. That guy was a machine.

 

[Perd Hapley]

Eli Manning had a very weird career. He was pretty good not great for the vast majority of his career but turned into Joe Montana in two playoff runs which ended in Super Bowls. The two years Eli won the Super Bowl, the Giants had a 10-6 and 9-7 regular season record.

He was not “pretty good” for the vast majority of his career. He has a career passer rating of 84.1, and 9 of 14 seasons it was below 90. That’s not even mediocre…..it’s well below average. For nearly 70% of his career.

Just for reference, Dak has a career passer rating of 98.4. Phillip Rivers - 95.0. Matt Ryan - 93.6, with an MVP award. Ben Roethlisberger - 93.5, and also two rings. Russell Wilson - 99.3 and a SB win. Freaking Cam Newton - 85.2 with an MVP.

If Eli’s in? Pretty much all those guys have to be in, too….without question.