The changing induction method for the Pro Football Hall of Fame has made it more challenging for borderline candidates to gain entry into Canton. Starting in 2024, every candidate in both the Modern-Era and Senior pool must receive at least 80% of the vote, making it a daunting task for those on the cusp.
The math makes it difficult for players like Eli Manning, who won two Super Bowls but has only four Pro Bowls and zero All-Pro teams in 16 seasons. The receiver logjam, with players such as Torry Holt, Steve Smith Sr., and Reggie Wayne splitting votes due to similar careers and statistics, is also a concern.
For the next five years, here’s our prediction of who will make it into the Pro Football Hall of Fame:
2026: Drew Brees (QB), Larry Fitzgerald (WR), Luke Kuechly (LB), Bill Belichick (Coach), Ralph Hay (Owner)
Notable first-time eligible players include Brees, Fitzgerald, Jason Witten, Frank Gore, Philip Rivers, and Julian Edelman.
2027: Ben Roethlisberger (QB), Adrian Peterson (RB), Rob Gronkowski (TE), Mike Holmgren (Coach), Ken Anderson (QB)
Notable first-time eligible players include Roethlisberger, Peterson, Gronkowski, Cam Newton, Antonio Brown, and Richard Sherman.
2028: Tom Brady (QB), J.J. Watt (DE), Richard Sherman (CB), Robert Kraft (Owner), Otis Taylor (WR)
This group will have two first-ballot Hall of Famers who should receive unanimous induction, while a third Modern-Era candidate will get selected on the second ballot.
2029: Aaron Donald (DT), Jason Witten (TE), Torry Holt (WR), Mike Shanahan (Coach), Maxie Baughan (LB)
Notable first-time eligible players include Donald, Kelce, Julio Jones, Fletcher Cox, and Matthew Slater.
2030: Julio Jones (WR), Jason Kelce (C), Zack Martin (G), Roger Craig (RB), Zack Martin (G)
This year could be a landing spot for Martin, Kelce, and Jones in their second or third year on the ballot. The Senior pool will add to the class with Craig’s impressive resume.
The changing induction method has made it more challenging for borderline candidates to gain entry into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Our predictions offer insight into who might make it to Canton over the next five years.
Source: https://www.si.com/nfl/predicting-next-five-nfl-hall-of-fame-classes