For a sport with two dozen different positions along with a slew of coaches, executives and other contributors, the Pro Football Hall of Fame allows a pretty small number of players in every year. While some may like to "Keep the Hall small," that line of thinking will probably result in a few Hall-worthy players getting snubbed from entry in 2027.
With the Hall of Fame Class of 2026 getting inducted today, eyes now turn to 2027, which will see a number of stars, all-decade greats and even some all-time greats get eligible.
ESPN's Adam Schefter listed off a few of the noteworthy eligible players: TE Rob Gronkowski, QB Ben Roethlisberger, RB Adrian Peterson, CB Richard Sherman, WR Antonio Brown, OT Andrew Whitworth, OL Alex Mack, DL Gerald McCoy and DB Eric Weddle.
Who are the locks?
The unquestioned, undisputed lock of next year's Hall of Fame class will be Rob Gronkowski. He was the best tight end of the 2010s and ranks among the best of all-time.
Other than him, there's debate to be had on just about all of them.
Adrian Peterson ranks among the greatest running backs of all-time and ranks top six in most major rushing categories. However, his legal issues in 2014 could cast a bit of a shadow over his induction, and the Hall has a history of making all-time great running backs wait a year.
That same line of thinking could result in Ben Roethlisberger having to wait longer than Steelers fans would want. Despite being Pittsburgh's all-time leading passe, he also had his share of legal problems that could diminish him in the eyes of voters.
And if Roethlisberger or Peterson have to wait due to their legal issues, Antonio Brown probably has no chance of getting inducted on the first ballot.
As for Whitworth, Mack, McCoy and Weddle, all of them have the numbers and accolades to warrant Hall of Fame induction. But it can also be said that none of them truly stand out as all-time greats that should have busts alongside the likes of Lawrence Taylor, Jerry Rice and Tom Brady.
And lest we forget, there's always a backlog of players who didn't get inducted last year that are up for another vote this year. Bill Belichick will almost certainly get in after the "error" of not getting in this year.
Who do you see getting into the Hall of Fame next year?
