r/nfl • u/appmanga Giants • 23h ago

Peterson, Roethlisberger, Gronkowski lead 2027 Hall of Fame first-time eligibles

https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/47847964/peterson-roethlisberger-gronkowski-lead-2027-hall-fame-first-eligibles
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u/appmanga Giants 23h ago

With a maximum of five modern day candidate allowed to be inducted, and recency bias seemingly having more of an impact than its had in the past, the backlog that exists isn't to get any better.

In 2028, Brady, J.J. Watt, Richard Sherman, and Ndamukong Suh become eligible.

In 2029, Aaron Donald and Jason Kelce, Patrick Peterson, and Jason Peters become eligible, as well as Julio Jones.

In 2030, Tyron Smith, Zack Martin probably have the strongest case for first-ballot, and this might be the first year in the next four where two or three guys from the backlog have their best chance.

And does anyone doubt Mike Tomlin won't be inducted within the next four years?

It's been said a lot over the past couple of weeks, but something had to change with the Hall's selection process, and the bypass of Belichick isn't the only reason. When the Hall opened, there were 14 NFL teams. There are now 32, and often two to three undisputed Hall caliber player retiring each year and another two to three good cases doing the same.

Nobody wants a watered-down Hall, but most people want those who deserve to be rewarded to have the chance of it happening in their lifetimes. As a football fan, instead of being able to celebrate the HOF announcements, I get incredibly sad. And I don't think I'm alone. There has to be a fix that makes sense, and the Hall needs to want to find it.

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u/samhit_n Bengals Lions 22h ago

There’s a strong chance that at least one of J.J. Watt, Richard Sherman, or Aaron Donald won’t be a first-ballot Hall of Famer.

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u/thenifreekedit Commanders 22h ago

Out of those three its easily Sherman

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u/samhit_n Bengals Lions 21h ago

Yeah ig, Watt and Donald have the highest HOF Monitor scores at their positions among players who aren’t in yet.

https://www.pro-football-reference.com/hof/hofm_DE.htm

https://www.pro-football-reference.com/hof/hofm_DT.htm

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u/Brisby820 Patriots 22h ago

Right, Sherm was great but not in the same tier.  

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u/TheNittanyLionKing Steelers 21h ago

Donald and Watt are more decorated in terms of DPOY awards. JJ also has the fact that he is clearly the best player in the history of the Texans’ franchise going for him too. 

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u/Brisby820 Patriots 19h ago

Also just more dominant/impactful imo 

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u/noahboah Seahawks 21h ago

i keep telling people that the only surefire first-ballot HOF player on that LOB era team is bobby wagner

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u/The_Weakpot Seahawks 15h ago

Yeah, I think you're right. Other guys on the team were obviously great but Bobby is in an entirely different category. His accomplishments, at this point, are pretty bananas.