Earl Thomas 2026 HOF Semi-Finalist

[kidhawk]

https://www.profootballhof.com/news/2025/11/26-modern-era-players-named-as-semifinalists-for-pro-football-hall-of-fame%E2%80%99s-class-of-2026/

Maybe not my favorite off the field but the man played the position like nobody else.

 

[NoGain]

They'll probably keep him out for some years because of his behavioral issues. But he's a definite deserve. I mean, he was among the very very best, if not the best at this position for a number of years. That's what the HOF is all about for players to me.

 

[kidhawk]

They'll probably keep him out for some years because of his behavioral issues. But he's a definite deserve. I mean, he was among the very very best, if not the best at this position for a number of years. That's what the HOF is all about for players to me.

I’m sure you’re right, but when a guy like Lawrence Taylor is a first ballot guy then there’s really no reason Earl doesn’t get the votes.

 

[CouchLogic]

Dude was an ANIMAL on the field, no doubt about it. I could watch him track plays all day long, seemed like he was everywhere at once.

 

[NoGain]

I must say he was my favorite on that D. I almost bought his jersey, and I never buy them. LOL I kind of saw him as a lovable player in the way he talked and carried on during those best years. He just started to go a little crazy overboard there at the end. And then he really blew it with the Ravens who banked on him near the end of his career.

I choose to look at Earl at his best.

 

[Rat]

His "behavioral problems" in Seattle were way the hell overblown. Like they were basically nothing. I feel like he barely ever even talked. And even his stuff after wasn't illegal, just more weird.

He was the best safety of his time, and it wasn't particularly close. He's easily the best DB on that list, blowing both Darren Woodson and Rodney Harrison out of the water.

The class should be Earl along with Fitzgerald, Brees, Kuechly, Vinatieri, and Willie Anderson. Holt probably should too, but they're trying to tighten voting, so I guess another year for him maybe.

 

[Frank12]

Behavior-wise they push him out a few more years, but the talentewise he is a HOF'er.... Come'on even Michael Irvin, and Deion Sanders screwed hookers and snorted Coke in motel rooms, and even Ray Lewis set a guy up to get killed, And Lawrence Taylor was an admitted Crack addict... Earl's off the field activities seem most less extreme.

 

[Maelstrom787]

At his peak, he was the best overall player in the LOB secondary in my opinion. An absolute missile. I've never seen so much pure energy in a single player. He made offensive players look like they were moving in slow motion.

He didn't have the longevity and he's certifiably insane, but god. What a player.

First ballot. All the way.

 

[seabowl]

Zero shot first ballot. Way too many non playing incidents like this that keeps him out for some if not extended time.

 

[themunn]

View attachment 76018

Zero shot first ballot. Way too many non playing incidents like this that keeps him out for some if not extended time.

He was nominated semi finalist last year so this his 2nd year of eligibility.

Brees and Fitzgerald are locks for 1st ballot induction. After that it's a crowded field imo - but none of the players on the shortlist were as dominant at their position as ET was.

Edit; sorry missed Kevin Williams on the list too, could also be a first ballot inductee but might make him wait a 2nd year (though they shouldn't!)

 

[flv2]

He'll get in eventually, but he'll struggle to make the final 15 this year. Nothing personal, it's just the numbers. The following 12 are modern players who were unsuccessful finalists in 2024 and have reached the semi-final again this year:

Willie Anderson
Jahri Evans
Torry Holt
Luke Kuechly
Eli Manning
Steve Smith Sr.
Terrell Suggs
Fred Taylor
Adam Vinatieri
Reggie Wayne
Darren Woodson
Marshal Yanda

...additionally Drew Brees, Larry Fitzgerald, and Jason Witten are pretty much locks to make the final, (with Brees & Fitzgerald locks to get in). That's 15 players and only 15 make the final. Obviously it's not set in stone, but be prepared to be disappointed this time around.