Are Brees, Fitzgerald and Witten sure-fire first-ballot HOF??

[BigJay]

I say definitely

All three made the semifinal list along with Gore, Rivers and others

Brees, Rivers lead list of 2026 HOF semifinalists

Five newcomers -- QBs Drew Brees and Philip Rivers, WR Larry Fitzgerald, TE Jason Witten and RB Frank Gore -- are among the 26 modern era candidates to make it to the semifinal stage for the Pro Football Hall of Fame 2026 class.

www.espn.com

 

[jamesy2422]

they have to be. if not, something is majorly wrong.

 

[Wagerallsports]

I think only four made it in last year, but usually it’s more than that

With those three players being almost guaranteed, I think we see 6-7 get in

 

[Wagerallsports]

Hall of Fame Class of 2026 Modern-Era Player Semifinalists breakdown by positions​

OFFENSE (17)

• Quarterback (3): Drew Brees, Eli Manning, Philip Rivers.
• Running back (2): Frank Gore, Fred Taylor.
• Wide receiver (5): Larry Fitzgerald, Torry Holt, Steve Smith Sr., Hines Ward, Reggie Wayne.
• Tight end (1): Jason Witten.
• Offensive line (6): Willie Anderson, Lomas Brown, Jahri Evans, Richmond Webb, Steve Wisniewski, Marshal Yanda.

DEFENSE (8)

• Defensive back (3): Rodney Harrison, Earl Thomas, Darren Woodson.
• Linebacker (2): Luke Kuechly, Terrell Suggs (also DE).
• Defensive line (3): Robert Mathis (also LB), Vince Wilfork, Kevin Williams..

SPECIAL TEAMS – 1

• Place kicker (1): Adam Vinatieri.

 

[samsncharge99]

100% all 3

 

[Wagerallsports]

I think Gore gets in next year

My Prediction

Brees
Fitzgerald
Holt (Should be Smith sr)
Anderson
Harrison
Suggs
Vinatieri

 

[str]

I think your right Jay.

 

[MinnesotaFats]

Kevin Williams should be the lock

Something like 6 straight All Pros as a DT

Fitzgerald a good MN boy he'll get in

 

[drunkenhorseplayer]

Brees, Fitzgerald, Brown and Suggs. The rest belong in the HOTVG (the very good).

 

[MinnesotaFats]

Suggs didnt have a HOF career. He wasnt even a regular Pro Bowler.

Suggs had 2 great years in a 15 year career that isnt statistically better than Pat Swilling or Greg Lloyd

 

[Archie]

Rank
▲ Player Sk Years Tm
1 Bruce Smith+ 200.0 1985-2003 2TM
2 Reggie White+ 198.0 1985-2000 3TM
3 Deacon Jones+ 173.5 1961-1974 3TM
4 Kevin Greene+ 160.0 1985-1999 4TM
5 Julius Peppers+ 159.5 2002-2018 3TM
6 Jack Youngblood+ 151.5 1971-1984 ram
7 Chris Doleman+ 150.5 1985-1999 3TM
8 Alan Page+ 148.5 1967-1981 2TM
9 Lawrence Taylor+ 142.0 1981-1993 nyg
10 Michael Strahan+ 141.5 1993-2007 nyg
11 Jason Taylor+ 139.5 1997-2011 3TM
12 Terrell Suggs 139.0 2003-2019 3TM
13 DeMarcus Ware+ 138.5 2005-2016 2TM
14 Richard Dent+ 137.5 1983-1997 4TM
16 Jared Allen+ 136.0 2004-2015 4TM
18 Von Miller 134.5 2011-2025 4TM
19 John Abraham 133.5 2000-2014 3TM

 

[BigJay]

Steve Smith Jr should absolutely be a HOF if not now eventually

Guy was the man

 

[djefferis]

The NFL HOF is weird - minimum 4 - max 8.

So if your unlucky enough to retire same year as a couple of sure fire HOF’ers and 4 more retire the next season - your probably waiting a while to get the call as stupid voters don’t want to let anyone but the elite in on first ballot.

Brees is in that category. Fitzgerald SHOULD be.

Witten was very good - underrated as a TE because he did more than catch passes.

Harrison belongs - Holt probably does too. Harrison and Anderson belong as well as Vinatieri

Suggs is an interesting case - played for a ln all time great D and winners - but individually stats aren’t superior. Kinda like Eli - does winning offset hall of very good stats ?

 

[Archie]

what does list of those with more career sacks then suggs look like?

 

[Jrgum3]

Gore certainly deserves to and I'm not just saying that as a 49ers fan. He was a guy that wound up the NFL's third all time leading rusher and it's mostly due to his longevity. Guys with his running style don't last 16 seasons and make 5 pro bowls plus an all decade team. That man is a Hall of famer in my book along with several of the guys on that list.

 

[MinnesotaFats]

E

what does list of those with more career sacks then suggs look like?

Exactly like you'd expect as the game changed the rules basically during his playing days. It's all edge rushers with inflated sack stats and minimum tackles/ fumbles

 

[Archie]

all time tackle for loss king?

 

[MinnesotaFats]

all time tackle for loss king?

How can you be a HOF linebacker if you play 20 years and make 1 fukking pro bowl. There are simply too many other guys way better than him at his position.

 

[Archie]

How can you be a HOF linebacker if you play 20 years and make 1 fukking pro bowl. There are simply too many other guys way better than him at his position.

good thing he went to 7

 

[MinnesotaFats]

good thing he went to 7

LOL I ment all pro, my bad