Pro Football Hall of Fame starts the countdown on Jason Kelce’s eventual nomination

The Pro Football Hall of Fame announced that retired Eagles center Jason Kelce is will be eligible for induction in 2029

Jason Kelce ended his 13-year NFL career on Monday announcing his retirement in an emotional press conference that featured friends, family and teammates.

It ends a fantastic run in Philadelphia and also begins the countdown to what should be a first-ballot selection to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

The guys in Canton, Ohio, watched the press conference and started the countdown on Kelce’s nomination.

A sixth-round draft pick out of the University of Cincinnati in 2011, Kelce started and played in 193 games over his 13 seasons.

Kelce is the fifth center in NFL history with at least six All-Pro selections. The other four — Jim Otto, Clyde “Bulldog” Turner, Dermontti Dawson, and Jim Ringo — are all in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Kelce made his first Pro Bowl in 2014 and has been named to the Associated Press All-Pro team in six of the past seven seasons.

Six of those All-Pro honors came after Kelce turned 30, the most ever and one more than Jerry Rice and Bruce Smith.

The final year of the Eli Manning Hall of Fame debate has arrived

New York Giants legend Eli Manning is eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2025 meaning the final year of debate is upon us.

With the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2024 announced this week, we can now focus on the long-standing debate that is about to come to a conclusion next year at this time.

That debate is whether or not former New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning is worthy of being a first-ballot Hall of Famer.

Manning, who retired after the 2019 season, will be eligible for induction into Canton beginning next year.

Giant fans already know that Manning belongs, as do the fans of the New England Patriots — the team Manning defeated twice in the Super Bowl.

But there are fans of other teams, especially those of the rival Philadelphia Eagles, who continue to contest Manning’s candidacy out of sheer jealousy, although they have finally won a Super Bowl in recent years. Others believe he’s a ‘nepo baby’ who skated on his family name.

But the numbers do not lie. Manning had a long and successful career. There are many who have busts in Canton who have achieved a lot less.

Eli will be among an impressive group of newcomers who will also be in their first year of eligibility, but few have his resume.

That aside, Manning’s induction in Year 1 is far from a slam dunk. Tom Rock, the veteran Giants columnist from Newsday, is preparing Giant fans for a possible snub.

While Manning certainly will be the most decorated and highest-profile quarterback on the ballot the committee considers throughout the coming months, he’s not going to be the slam dunk candidate some might consider him to be.

The Hall hasn’t enshrined a quarterback since Peyton Manning in 2021. That means fellow two-time Super Bowl champ Jim Plunkett along with others such as Joe Theismann, Ken Anderson, Earl Morrall and even Phil Simms have been waiting patiently on the fringes of Canton.

Eli Manning was the quarterback for a series of Hall of Fame-worthy moments, the kind of plays that will get rewound and replayed every year around this time as long as football exists, but his overall career numbers are far less impressive.

All true. Many will also point to Eli’s lukewarm record as a starting quarterback (117-117) and the fact that he was never named to the first or second All-Pro Team, which for a player who played as long as Manning, is a conspicuous hole that could cause some voters pause.

None of that may matter. Manning’s on-field exploits along with his off-the-field actions could simply add up to a ‘yes’ for many.

Eli has been a model citizen, working tirelessly for multiple charities, and was named the NFL Walter Payton Man of the Year in 2016.

After all, why would so many companies choose Eli to be their spokesman if he wasn’t a great player and a great person?

He’s worthy.

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2024 Pro Football Hall of Fame class: Dwight Freeney, Devin Hester, Andre Johnson, Julius Peppers, Patrick Willis, Randy Gradishar, Steve McMichael

The 2024 Pro Football Hall of Fame class: Dwight Freeney, Devin Hester, Andre Johnson, Julius Peppers, Patrick Willis, Randy Gradishar, Steve McMichael.

The NFL has announced the men who will find themselves enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame for the 2024 class. In total, five finalists made it from the active class, and two from the senior group.[anyclip-media thumbnail=”undefined” playlistId=”undefined” content=”dW5kZWZpbmVk”][/anyclip-media]

Why these Pro Football Hall of Fame finalists should be inducted in 2024

Our NFL Wire editors stated their case for each finalist to be enshrined in the Hall of Fame.

It’s a busy week for the NFL. Not only will the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers battle it out in Super Bowl 58, but the Pro Football Hall of Fame will welcome a new class to Canton.

The Hall of Fame Class of 2024 will be announced during “NFL Honors,” which airs Thursday at 9 p.m. ET on CBS and NFL Network.

There are currently 15 modern-era finalists, three senior finalists and one coaching/contributor finalist up for the Hall of Fame, including two first-year eligible players — tight end Antonio Gates and defensive end Julius Peppers.

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Our NFL Wire editors stated their case for each finalist to be enshrined in the Hall of Fame.

Giants great Tiki Barber not among finalists for Hall of Fame

Retired New York Giants RB Tiki Barber is not among the finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2024.

Former New York Giants star running back Tiki Barber is not among the 15 Finalists in the Modern-Era Player category for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2024.

On Wednesday, the list of 15 former standouts were announced as finalists by the Hall. Barber was among the group of semifinalists being considered for possible enshrinement.

From the Hall of Fame:

Comprising the Class of 2024’s Modern-Era list of candidates are nine players who reached this stage in the selection process when the Class of 2023 was chosen, two players in their first year of eligibility and four players who are Finalists for the first time after a combined 40 years of eligibility.

The slate of candidates in the Modern-Era Player category will be considered when the Hall of Fame’s Selection Committee meets prior to Super Bowl LVIII. The Class of 2024 will be unveiled publicly Feb. 8 during the “NFL Honors presented by Invisalign” broadcast from Las Vegas on CBS Television Network and NFL Network at 9 p.m. ET.

Barber played his entire career for the Giants from 1997-2006. He is the team’s All-Time leading rusher, a Ring of Honor enshrinee and a three-time Pro Bowler.

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Jarrett Bailey’s 2024 Pro Football Hall of Fame class

While all 15 finalists undoubtedly have their respective arguments for earning their induction, these five would get my vote as to who will make up the class of 2024.

The 15 finalists for the 2024 Pro Football Hall of Fame class have been announced. Five of these modern-era candidates will be inducted into the Hall of Fame next August, and we will find out who they are on Feb. 8 during the “NFL Honors.”

While all 15 finalists undoubtedly have their respective arguments for earning their induction, these five would get my vote as to who will make up the class of 2024.

First, here are all 15 finalists.

  • Eric Allen, Cornerback – 1988-1994 Philadelphia Eagles, 1995-97 New Orleans Saints, 1998-2001 Oakland Raiders
  • Jared Allen, Defensive End – 2004-07 Kansas City Chiefs, 2008-2013 Minnesota Vikings, 2014-15 Chicago Bears, 2015 Carolina Panthers
  • Willie Anderson, Offensive Tackle – 1996-2007 Cincinnati Bengals, 2008 Baltimore Ravens
  • Jahri Evans, Guard – 2006-2016 New Orleans Saints, 2017 Green Bay Packers
  • Dwight Freeney, Defensive End/Outside Linebacker – 2002-2012 Indianapolis Colts, 2013-14 San Diego Chargers, 2015 Arizona Cardinals, 2016 Atlanta Falcons, 2017 Seattle Seahawks, 2017 Detroit Lions
  • Antonio Gates, Tight End – 2003-2018 San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers
  • Rodney Harrison, Safety – 1994-2002 San Diego Chargers, 2003-08 New England Patriots
  • Devin Hester, Punt Returner/Kick Returner/Wide Receiver – 2006-2013 Chicago Bears, 2014-15 Atlanta Falcons, 2016 Baltimore Ravens
  • Torry Holt, Wide Receiver – 1999-2008 St. Louis Rams, 2009 Jacksonville Jaguars
  • Andre Johnson, Wide Receiver – 2003-2014 Houston Texans, 2015 Indianapolis Colts, 2016 Tennessee Titans
  • Julius Peppers, Defensive End – 2002-09, 2017-18 Carolina Panthers, 2010-13 Chicago Bears, 2014-16 Green Bay Packers
  • Fred Taylor, Running back – 1998-2008 Jacksonville Jaguars, 2009-2010 New England Patriots
  • Reggie Wayne, Wide Receiver – 2001-2014 Indianapolis Colts
  • Patrick Willis, Linebacker – 2007-2014 San Francisco 49ers
  • Darren Woodson, Safety – 1992-2003 Dallas Cowboys

The Selection Committee may elect up to five Modern-Era Players for the Class of 2024; each must receive a minimum positive vote of 80 percent for election. Four others — Seniors category Finalists Randy Gradishar, Steve McMichael and Art Powell, along with Coach/Contributor Finalist Buddy Parker — also are candidates for the Class of 2024. Voting on each of those four will be held individually, in conjunction with the meeting to decide which Modern-Era Players are elected.

The Finalists in the Modern-Era Player category were determined by a vote of the Hall’s Selection Committee from a list of 173 nominees named in September that was reduced to 25 Semifinalists on Nov. 28.

One player from each NFL team who should be in the Hall of Fame by now

The Pro Football Hall of Fame revealed its 25 semifinalists for the Class of 2024. Which got us thinking: Who should already be in?

The Pro Football Hall of Fame recently revealed its list of 25 modern-era semifinalists who will be considered for the Class of 2024, which will be revealed before Super Bowl LVIII in February.

Among them are two first-year eligible candidates that made the semifinalist cut in tight end Antonio Gates and pass rusher Julius Peppers. There are a slew of other notable names who have been finalists in the past, including return specialist Devin Hester, wide receivers Steve Smith Sr. and Torry Holt and linebacker Patrick Willis.

There are also three senior finalists up for induction: Linebacker Randy Gradishar, defensive tackle Steve McMichael and wide receiver Art Powell.

That made us wonder: Who is one player, coach or owner from each NFL team who should be in the Hall of Fame by now? Because, let’s face it, there are multiple deserving parties who continue to wait their turn.

From multi-year semifinalists to those who have been waiting decades to those considered among the greatest ever at their position, our NFL Wire editors revealed their pick for one player, coach or owner who should be in the Hall of Fame by now.

10 former Steelers among HOF nominees

Is 2024 the year former Steelers WR Hines Ward finally makes the Hall of Fame?

The Pro Football Hall of Fame released its list of 173 modern-era nominees for the 2024 class of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. In digging through the expansive list, we were glad to see the Steelers are well-represented with 10 names. Some we’ve seen on here before and others are new. Here’s the full list.

Giants legend Tom Coughlin passed over for Hall of Fame

Retired New York Giants head coach Tom Coughlin will not be among the Pro Football Hall of Fame class of 2024.

Retired New York Giants head coach Tom Coughlin will have to wait a little longer to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

On Wednesday, the Hall of Fame announced the one coach/contributor finalist for the Class of 2024, and it is former Detroit Lions and Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Buddy Parker.

Coughlin, a two-time Super Bowl champion as head coach of the Giants, was the first head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars in 1995 and quickly led them into contention.

Parker beat out a distinguished group of coaches/contributors, of which only one can go on to the final round to be considered for entry to the Hall.

Besides Coughlin, the group consisted of New England Patriots owner Bob Kraft; Steelers owner Art Rooney II; former Green Bay Packers and Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike Holmgren; and two-time Super Bowl-winning Denver Broncos head coach Mike Shanahan.

Frank “Bucko” Kilroy, Dan Reeves, Marty Schottenheimer, Clark Shaughnessy, Lloyd Wells, and John Wooten were the other candidates under consideration.

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5 reasons Giants legend Carl Banks is deserving of Hall of Fame

Retired New York Giants linebacker Carl Banks is deserving of the Pro Football Hall of Fame and here are five reasons why.

This week is was announced that former New York Giants linebacker Carl Banks was named a semifinalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Banks was one of eight individuals with ties to the Giants on the list of 31 ‘senior’ players and 29 coach/contributors advancing to the semifinal round for possible induction.

Quarterback Charlie Conerly, running back Ottis Anderson, defensive back Everson Walls and former head coaches Tom Coughlin and Dan Reeves also made the cut.

Here are five reasons why Banks should receive further consideration for Canton.