Several talented players are still playing in the NFL, but a select few will not have to wait long before they join the greats in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Every player who puts on an NFL uniform dreams of not only winning a Super Bowl but having a bust in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Unfortunately, not everyone makes it that far.
For those who get their name enshrined in glory and presented with a gold jacket, it’s a symbol of excellence that lives on forever. However, there are those whose play is deemed so impeccable and transcendent that they must get in on their very first try.
Getting into the Pro Football Hall of Fame is a tremendous honor, but only a select few will get in on the first ballot
Right now, only a few of those players exist. Even recently retired people will be mentioned in this list as a nod to their greatness. An honorable mention is Rob Gronkowski. Though he retired in 2021, he deserves to have his name mentioned as his resume stands out.
Let’s look at some current players and two recently retired that won’t have to wait long for their names to get into Canton and the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
No. 10: QB Tom Brady
The record speaks for itself. Ten Super Bowl appearances, seven Super Bowl titles, and five Super Bowl MVP’s. Not to mention, the record for all time passing yards by a quarterback. It’s a lengthy list of accomplishments for a former sixth round pick and former 4th-string Patriots QB.
While he couldn’t finish his career in a Patriots uniform, much of Brady’s accomplishments will forever be tied to his time in Foxborough. It’s only fitting the franchise honor him as they will do in Week 1. It’s going to be hard for the Patriots to find an equitable replacement.
No. 9: DE JJ Watt
Like Tom Brady, JJ Watt recently hung up his cleats for good, and don’t worry; he is the last of the recently retired players on this list. When you look at his career and the stats that Watt registered, along with bringing the Houston Texans their first-ever playoff victory, you can’t begin to explain Watt’s impact on the game.
In a four-year span, 2012-2015, Watt was as dominant as you could possibly be. 69 sacks, 190 QB hits, 15 forced fumbles, 10 fumble recoveries, and three, yes three, Defensive Player of the Year awards. That’s unbelievable over four years. 20. 5 sacks in 2012 and 2014, and 17.5 in 2015. Start carving out his bust already, will you please?
No. 8: TE Travis Kelce
All right now. Before we get called a “Jabroni,” we need to first send love to Jason Kelce, who will go into the Hall of Fame, as well as his younger brother. Now, back to business. Patrick Mahomes’ best weapon undoubtedly deserves to enter the Pro Football Hall of Fame. With two Super Bowl rings and even in a loss to Tampa Bay, Travis Kelce is a wrecking machine on the biggest stage in football.
Not only does this SNL guest host rock a mic, but how he’s developed his game and further expanded the role of the receiving tight end brings excellence that hasn’t been seen since Gronk ran the show with TB12 in New England. Start fitting a gold jacket for Kelce, and his brother, right now. It will be a big party in Canton when No. 87 comes to town.
No. 7: QB Aaron Rodgers
Cue the Stephen A music, please. For whatever off-the-field drama that has ensued in the Frozen Tundra over a period of time, Aaron Rodgers is, without question, one of the greatest signal callers the game has ever seen, at least from a talent perspective. Rodgers’ run to Super Bowl XLV will forever be cherished by those of the Green and Gold, as will his MVP campaigns.
However, the number of postseason defeats, including the NFC championship loss to Tampa Bay, will forever sting, not to mention the loss to Detroit that ended the season. Rodgers is now with the New York Jets, and if he can help deliver a championship in that city, the press will have a field day, as will Gotham City. He’s already in the Hall of Fame, but a championship with the Jets? Good lord, have mercy.
No. 6: LB Bobby Wagner
The Legion of Boom gets the lion’s share of the credit for what Seattle was able to do during the 2010s. However, middle linebacker Bobby Wagner is a leader on that defense that goes underappreciated. Wagner, an 8x Pro Bowler, made six first-team All-Pros and led the league in tackles twice. Though he played for a year with the Rams, it’s clear that the former Utah State Aggie is a Seahawks through and through.
As of right now, Wagner is the last remaining player on Seattle’s roster from the Super Bowl years, thanks to Russell Wilson heading to the Mile High City. Given how the Seahawks still made the playoffs last season, despite being a seventh seed, it speaks volumes about the new culture. Still, Wagner’s presence in the locker room is a blessing for the franchise as they ascend.
No. 5: OT Trent Williams
During Williams’ tenure in Washington and San Francisco, the former Oklahoma Sooner has been a wall of granite, with only a few exceptional pass rushers even daring to get by him and get to whatever QB he is blocking for. With several Pro Bowl seasons and not to mention the sheer athletic ability for such a big man, it’s almost impossible to overlook Williams.
Unfortunately, he does not have a Super Bowl ring yet, which can still be accomplished. Given how San Francisco is in a weakened NFC, it is not out of the question that Williams could find himself on the big stage if everything goes according to plan. If Williams can capture a ring, there is no more room for debates, and his bust should be constructed immediately; it should’ve already been going on.
No. 4: K Justin Tucker
A kicker? Ladies and gentlemen, this is no ordinary kicker. This is an undrafted kicker from Texas who won the kicking job with Baltimore outright due in large part to the struggles of Billy Cundiff. Everything happens for a reason, and Tucker has the record for the longest field goal in NFL history with 66 yards. When he’s coming on for a kick, more often than not, it’s going to go through.
A member of the Super Bowl XLVII champion Ravens, Tucker has carved out a legacy in Baltimore that will be hard for anyone to replace whenever No. 9 decides to turn in his cleats, but being the most accurate kicker in NFL history? That’s worthy of a gold jacket, even if he is just a kicker. If you change the game and are transcendent, they will find a place for you among the greats.
No. 3: DT Aaron Donald
The moment Aaron Donald threw down Joe Burrow at the end of Super Bowl LVI, the journey was officially complete. From an undersized defensive tackle out of Pittsburgh to an NFL wrecking machine to a Super Bowl champion.
The heart of No. 99 can never be questioned. Not to mention his presence alone made the Rams watchable before the great fortunes they have endured.
It’s possible that Donald will hang up his cleats soon; he’s already accomplished so much in his career to be listed among the greats that preceded him. But his love of the game has yet to dwindle, and it’s safe to say he’s not done. While the Rams are back to being a middle-of-the-pack team within the NFC West, they are always a force as long as No. 99 has something to say about it.
No. 2: QB Patrick Mahomes
No. 2? Well, the thing is, Mahomes has only played for a short period of time, so while his resume is worthy enough to get a gold jacket on the first ballot, he needs just a few more years to take the top spot on this list. That and he’s not retiring anytime soon, so why end the run so quickly? Enjoy the ride for a while; after all, it’s been a great story in the Kingdom ever since this Red Raider took control.
Five straight home conference championship games, three Super Bowl appearances, and two Super Bowl MVPs. Not to mention several dazzling plays that routinely make Sportscenter even when it’s incomplete. At this rate, No. 15 might be No. 1 when all is said and done, but he needs at least two more years like he’s been playing for him to get to No.1 on this list. Please don’t feel bad, KC; he’s still a first-ballot HOF.
No. 1: DE/OLB Von Miller
The last defensive player to be named Super Bowl MVP, Von Miller’s performance in Super Bowl 50 against fellow draftee Cam Newton and the Carolina Panthers will long live in NFL lore if for no other reason than sending Peyton Manning off into the sunset with a ring. Not only that, the damage done to offensive tackle Mike Remmers provided a blueprint for success for one of Miller’s proteges years later with Shaq Barrett in Super Bowl LV.
Miller also won a ring with the Rams and now resides in Buffalo, hoping to bring them their first-ever Super Bowl title. If Miller pulls that off, he will officially be in a class of his own. In all likelihood, Josh Allen will win the Super Bowl MVP if the Bills win the big game, but imagine if Miller takes that award instead. He would need his own parade float down Orchard Park.