The Pro Football Hall of Fame saw a robust Class of 2026, with Drew Brees, Larry Fitzgerald, Luke Kuechly, Adam Vinatieri, and Roger Craig securing their spots. Notably absent from this induction group were Bill Belichick and Eli Manning.
The upcoming year’s selection pool for the Hall of Fame is anticipated to be even more challenging. Belichick and Manning are expected to reappear on the ballot, joined by additional 2026 finalists such as Frank Gore, Torry Holt, and Marshal Yanda. Furthermore, a substantial number of newly eligible individuals warranting evaluation will also be present.
Presented below are ten athletes whose final NFL presence occurred during the 2021-22 football season.
Rob Gronkowski
He stands as one of the select viable responses when contemplating the greatest tight end in football history.
Gronkowski surpassed all other players in receptions and receiving yardage from Tom Brady. Beyond his receiving prowess, he was recognized as one of the premier blockers for his role and possessed an undeniable, charismatic presence. The sole factor that ever curtailed “Gronk’s” performance was physical ailments. When in peak condition, he proved to be an irresistible force, expertly utilized by some of the NFL’s most brilliant strategists.
Adrian Peterson
The most recent running back to secure the NFL MVP title was “AD,” who currently ranks fifth on the league’s career rushing leaderboard and is among just nine athletes historically to achieve 2,000 rushing yards in a single campaign. During the 2012-13 season, he narrowly missed surpassing Eric Dickerson’s single-season record by merely eight yards.
Peterson displayed exceptional talent from the very beginning of his professional career and maintained a high level of play well into his thirties.
Richard Sherman
As the most vocal figure within the “Legion of Boom,” he was also considered its most skilled. Sherman transitioned from wide receiver to cornerback during his high school years and wasn’t selected until the fifth round of the 2011 NFL Draft.
Standing out as one of the physically imposing cornerbacks in the league at 6 feet 3 inches and 195 pounds, Sherman revolutionized the role of a defensive back within the Seahawks’ scheme and served as a crucial element of their Super Bowl XLVIII championship squad. He was renowned for his exceptional verbal sparring, a reputation he consistently justified by effectively neutralizing offensive threats on his assigned side of the playing area.
Ben Roethlisberger
Excluding Manning, the process typically favors quarterbacks who have secured two Super Bowl victories. Roethlisberger’s initial championship ring was primarily a result of Jerome Bettis’s contributions and the strong defense of the Pittsburgh Steelers during his second professional season. Nevertheless, he consistently stood as one of the NFL’s most productive quarterbacks over his 18-year career.
Known as “Big Ben,” he concluded his career as the leading passer in the history of one of the NFL’s most celebrated organizations. However, prior accusations of sexual assault from earlier in his career have cast a shadow over his accomplishments, and the ultimate impact of these on his legacy remains uncertain.
The incoming Pro Football Hall of Fame cohort for 2027 is projected to be highly contested. (Image courtesy of Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)
(Source: Jared Wickerham via Getty Images)
Antonio Brown
The second individual among our trio of offensive standouts from the Steelers is, to put it mildly, the most volatile. Brown appeared poised for an indisputable Hall of Fame argument, even after reaching age 30, maintaining an exceptional career and ranking only behind Hines Ward in the Steelers’ franchise receiving records.
Despite his on-field brilliance, few prominent athletes have exited the NFL with such controversy as Brown, beginning with the Oakland Raiders, continuing with the New England Patriots, and ultimately ending with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He emerged from the sixth round of the 2010 Draft to achieve remarkable feats on the gridiron, but his legacy will undoubtedly encompass more than just his athletic achievements.
Le’Veon Bell
The final member of the “Killer B’s” trio probably faces the most challenging path to enshrinement, largely due to the brevity of his peak performance period. Bell was once considered among the NFL’s elite running backs, excelling both as a ball-carrier and a pass-catcher. However, a contentious separation from the Steelers resulted in him missing a season before joining the New York Jets, a move from which he never truly recovered his previous form.
Cam Newton
Newton’s exclusion from the College Football Hall of Fame in his initial year of eligibility, despite delivering one of the most exceptional seasons in the sport’s annals, presented a perplexing situation reminiscent of a Belichickian strategic mystery. His professional NFL tenure was similarly distinguished.
During an MVP-winning campaign, Newton guided the 2015-16 Carolina Panthers to an impressive 15-1 record and an appearance in the Super Bowl, captivating onlookers with every snap he took on the field. However, physical ailments hindered what could have been a robust latter phase of his career, particularly given the numerous other quarterbacks competing for Hall of Fame recognition.
Andrew Whitworth
While offensive linemen frequently receive insufficient recognition, Whitworth carved out an exception through a remarkable 16-year career as a steadfast protector of the quarterback’s blind side for both the Cincinnati Bengals and the Los Angeles Rams. He concluded his career triumphantly with the Rams, defeating his former team in Super Bowl LVI, alongside…
Eric Weddle
Weddle dedicated ten impactful years as a premier safety in the NFL, playing for the San Diego Chargers and Baltimore Ravens, accumulating six Pro Bowl selections and securing 29 interceptions throughout his career. His credentials for the Hall of Fame were robust upon his initial retirement in 2020. However, his comeback with the Rams during the 2021-22 postseason, following two severe injuries, became a significant narrative in their Super Bowl victory, particularly as he continued to participate in every defensive play despite suffering a torn pectoral muscle.
Alex Mack
Mack is widely regarded as potentially the finest center of the 2010s, achieving seven Pro Bowl honors across his tenures with the Cleveland Browns, Atlanta Falcons, and San Francisco 49ers. With him and Joe Thomas, the Browns featured a formidable duo anchoring their offensive line for seven seasons. He also played a pivotal role in guiding the Falcons to their unfortunate Super Bowl LI appearance.
