Cam Newton, Rob Gronkowski, Ben Roethlisberger and Eligible Players for 2027 Hall of Fame Class

Cam Newton, Rob Gronkowski and Ben Roethlisberger are a few of the notable names on this year's list of eligible players for the 2027 Hall of Fame class.

Additionally, those who didn't earn a spot in the Hall of Fame but are once again eligible in 2027 include Eli Manning, Frank Gore and more.

Legendary New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick tops the list as the most notable name to miss out on the Hall in 2026. The six-time Super Bowl champion seemed to be a lock to go to Canton, but didn't receive 40 out of 50 votes needed.

If Belichick isn't inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2027, it will once again be a shock.

Newton had an outstanding career, but it's hard to say whether he'll be on his way to Canton next year. In his prime, Newton was one of the best offensive weapons in the league, winning MVP and Offensive Player of the Year in 2025, the same year he led the Carolina Panthers to the Super Bowl.

The thing holding Newton back is longevity. He only played 11 seasons, and his prime lasted only about seven or eight years. Newton finished his career with 32,382 passing yards, 194 touchdowns and 123 interceptions.

One case to be made for Newton is that he is one of the best dual-threat quarterbacks in league history, as he rushed for 5,628 yards and 75 touchdowns.

Gronkowski, on the other hand, may be a lock to enter the Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility. Widely considered to be one of the best tight ends of all time, Gronk picked up 9,286 career receiving yards and 92 touchdowns. He has the sixth-most receiving yards all time by a tight end and the third-most receiving touchdowns.

Not to mention, Gronkowski also won four Super Bowls as Tom Brady's partner in crime.

Roethlisberger will likely also earn a first-ballot nomination into the Hall of Fame next year. The former Pittsburgh Steelers star has the seventh-most passing yards (64,088), the eighth-most completions (5,440) and the ninth-most touchdowns (418) all time.

Roethlisberger burst onto the scene in 2004, winning Offensive Rookie of the Year that year. He led the Steelers to a Super Bowl in just his second season, and they won again two years later in 2008. He earned six Pro Bowl nods across his 18-year career.