Pro Football Hall of Fame 2025 Class: Who Could Get in on the First Try?

The Pro Football Hall of Fame will induct its 2024 class this weekend in Canton, Ohio, as another group of deserving legends take their rightful place in football immortality.

That means it’s time to look ahead to next year’s class, taking stock of which newly eligible players might have a chance to get in on their first ballot.

It feels like the process of thinning down the list of finalists gets harder every year, as more and more retired players bring a worthy case of credentials to the table for spirited deliberation among the voting committee.

Let's take a look at which first-year eligibles could be a part of next year's Hall of Fame class:

QB Eli Manning

The debate over Manning’s worthiness for the Hall of Fame has been raging since before his career had even come to an end. A two-time Super Bowl MVP, Manning’s postseason credentials are his strongest bargaining chips, as he only made four Pro Bowls in 16 seasons with the New York Giants. He was voted Walter Payton Man of the Year in 2016 and currently ranks 10th on the NFL’s all-time list in both passing yards and touchdown passes.

LB Luke Kuechly

Injuries limited Kuechly to just eight seasons, but he was one of the league’s best linebackers for that entire run, which is evidenced by his seven All-Pro nods. He was NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year and then Defensive Player of the Year in his second season (even though Lavonte David should have been). Kuechly was a consistent performer who played at an extremely high level for his entire career, and his candidacy shouldn’t be impacted by his injury-shortened tenure.

K Adam Vinatieri

One of the most clutch performers in league history, regardless of position, Vinatieri has drilled some of the most iconic field goals of the modern era. He's a four-time Super Bowl champion who owns eight different NFL records, including the most points scored in league history. Vinatieri will be just the sixth kicker or punter to get a bronze bust in Canton.

OLB Terrell Suggs

One of the most feared pass-rushers in the NFL for much of his 17-year career, Suggs currently ranks eighth on the league’s official career sacks list with 139, and everyone else in the top 11 is already waiting for him in the Hall. A seven-time Pro Bowler and two-time Super Bowl champ, Suggs was NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2003, and Defensive Player of the Year in 2011.

G Marshal Yanda

While Suggs was a longtime stalwart for the Baltimore Ravens defense, Yanda was a similar presence on the other side of the ball. He spent all 13 of his NFL seasons in a Ravens uniform, making the Pro Bowl eight times, and he was named to the league's All-Decade Team for the 2010s. Yanda and Suggs could give the Ravens a rare double-dip of first-timers in next year's class.

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