The five years needed from retirement to eligibility will pass for these all-time great NFL players, who range from an all-time wide receiver in Arizona Cardinals legend Larry Fitzgerald to Super Bowl-winning New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees. There are some possible first-time ballot Hall of Famers on this list on both sides of the ball.

Allen was one of the most dominant pass-rushers in the NFL throughout his career. He racked up a total of 136 sacks in his 12-year career and became a fan-favorite with the Kansas City Chiefs, Minnesota Vikings, Chicago Bears, and Minnesota Vikings in the 2000s and 2010s.

Former Pittsburgh Steeler head athletic trainer John Norwig is one of three trainers selected for recognition by the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

While some of these guys may well make it into the Pro Football Hall of Fame one day, they will be “snubs” for now. Let’s run through these seven players whose omissions surprised us the most.

Will Eli Manning or Adam Vinatieri become Hall of Famers tonight? Because of new rules, their path is now tougher.

Luke Kuechly didn’t make the 2025 Pro Football Hall of Fame induction cut, but says he’s proud of the guys who did in this one-on-one interview.

Former Pittsburgh Steelers head athletic trainer John Norwig will be honored by the Pro Football Hall of Fame as part of the 2025 ‘Awards of Excellence.’ Norwig, who retired in 2023 after 32 years with the Steelers,