Active NFL Players Most Likely to Be in Pro Football Hall of Fame One Day

During the NFL Honors on Thursday evening, the Pro Football Hall of Fame announced its 2026 class. The group includes recent NFL stars Drew Brees and Larry Fitzgerald, who were inducted in their first year of eligibility.

Along with winning a Super Bowl, earning a gold jacket and a bust in Canton is the ultimate goal for most NFL players.

Fans may see a future Hall of Famer or two playing in Sunday's Super Bowl LX matchup between the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks. They definitely saw some future Hall of Famers playing during the 2025 NFL season.

With the 2026 class announced and Super Bowl LX on the horizon, now's the perfect time to highlight the current players who are most likely to reach the Pro Football Hall of Fame one day after they retire.

These are our top 12 picks among players who were active this past season, based on factors like production, level of play, awards, individual and team success. Players are listed in alphabetical order.

Myles Garrett, Edge, Cleveland Browns

AP Photo/Jeff Dean

Cleveland Browns pass-rusher Myles Garrett cemented his spot in Canton this past season when he set a new single-season sack record with 23. Even if that record is topped within the next few years—which is entirely possible—Garrett should be Hall of Fame-bound.

The 30-year-old had already made NFL history when he became the first player to ever record 14-plus sacks in four straight seasons, a streak he has now run to five consecutive campaigns. He also notched the record for the most sacks before the age of 30.

With only one playoff win on his resume, Garrett hasn't achieved much postseason success with the Browns. However, he's a two-time Defensive Player of the Year, a seven-time Pro Bowler, and a five-time first-team All-Pro.

With 125.5 career sacks, Garrett is already tied for 20th on the all-time list.

Derrick Henry, RB, Baltimore Ravens

AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar

The NFL game has changed in a way that may make it difficult for modern running backs to reach the Hall of Fame. The position has been devalued in recent years, committee backfields are regularly used, and backs don't simply rack up rushing yards as they did in the past.

Of course, Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry is an exception to the rule. A true high-volume runner, Henry already ranks 10th on the all-time rushing list and has shown no obvious signs of decline.

Henry, who turned 32 in January, rushed for 5.2 yards per carry and tallied 1,745 scrimmage yards this past season.

Beginning his career with the Tennessee Titans in 2016, Henry has since led the league in rushing yards twice and led the NFL in rushing touchdowns three times. The five-time Pro Bowler and one-time Offensive Player of the Year has already amassed the fourth-most rushing touchdowns in NFL history.

Lamar Jackson, QB, Baltimore Ravens

AP Photo/Terrance Williams

On Sunday, Seattle's Sam Darnold will become the first quarterback from the 2018 draft class to appear in a Super Bowl. That's impressive considering the class also featured Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson and Baker Mayfield.

Of that 2018 group, Baltimore's Jackson is currently the closest to being a Hall of Fame lock. Allen, a one-time MVP, is close, but Jackson has an edge because of his elite scrambling ability.

The 29-year-old has already accumulated more rushing yards (6,522) than any other quarterback in league history. Jackson is also a two-time MVP, a four-time Pro Bowler, and a three-time first-team All-Pro.

While he has yet to appear in a Super Bowl, Jackson's status as the most prolific dual-threat quarterback the NFL has ever seen may already be enough to put him in the Hall of Fame.

Lane Johnson, OT, Philadelphia Eagles

AP Photo/Terrance Williams

Injuries impacted Lane Johnson's 2025 campaign, and the future of the Philadelphia Eagles star remains a bit murky. However, the 35-year-old has probably already secured his spot in Canton.

Johnson is arguably the best right tackle of the past decade and has played a significant role in Philadelphia's recent success. He has started all 168 games in which he has appeared for Philadelphia, has helped deliver 10 playoff berths, has played in three Super Bowls and has won two Lombardi Trophies.

In 2020, Pro Football Focus named Johnson to its All-Decade team for the 2010s (h/t Glenn Erby of Eagles Wire).

A dependable pass protector and elite run blocker, Johnson has seemingly gotten better as his career has progressed. He has made six Pro Bowls and two first-team All-Pro lists, all within the last nine years.

Travis Kelce, TE, Kansas City Chiefs

AP Photo/Jeff Lewis

If Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce isn't a first-ballot Hall of Famer, it'll come as a surprise—especially if he decides to return for another season.

Kelce, who was drafted in 2013, already ranks third among tight ends on the all-time receiving list with 13,002 yards. Only Tony Gonzalez and Jason Witten have more among tight ends, and Kelce would pass Witten with 45 more receiving yards.

Of course, Kelce's greatness can't be measured by regular-season statistics alone. The 11-time Pro Bowler and four-time first-team All-Pro has often done his best work during the postseason.

In 10 trips to the playoffs, Kelce has started 25 games, reached five Super Bowls, and won three. His 2,078 receiving yards in the playoffs are second all-time, behind only Jerry Rice.

Patrick Mahomes, QB, Kansas City Chiefs

AP Photo/Charlie Riedel

A big part of Kelce's success has been his partnership with quarterback Patrick Mahomes over the past eight years. Like Kelce, Mahomes should be a first-ballot Hall of Famer. That would be true even if Mahomes retired today, but the 30-year-old will probably have many more seasons ahead of him.

In his eight years as a full-time starter, Mahomes has led seven playoff berths, reached seven AFC Championship Games, started five Super Bowls, and won three Lombardi Trophies. He already ranks sixth on the all-time postseason passing list.

Mahomes has produced some truly gaudy numbers during the regular season, too.

Despite not starting until the final week of his rookie season and missing three games in 2025 with a torn ACL, Mahomes has already reached No. 33 on the all-time passing list with 35,939 yards. His 267 passing touchdowns are 22nd on the all-time list.

Mahomes has also rushed for 2,665 yards in his career and holds an outstanding 100.8 career QB rating.

Von Miller, Edge, Washington Commanders

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Von Miller hasn't been an elite pass-rusher for several years and is firmly in the sack-artist-for-hire stage of his career. He was traded to the Los Angeles Rams in 2021, spent three seasons with the Buffalo Bills, and spent this past season with the Washington Commanders.

During his nine-plus seasons with the Denver Broncos, though, few NFL defenders were more disruptive.

Miller was an eight-time Pro Bowler and a three-time first-team All-Pro in Denver. He also helped the Broncos win Super Bowl 50 and was named Super Bowl MVP after a performance that included 2.5 sacks and two forced fumbles.

While Miller hasn't earned a Pro Bowl nod since leaving the Broncos, he's remained an impactful player. He had two sacks during the Rams' win in Super Bowl LVI, and he just wrapped up a nine-sack season in Washington.

With two rings and 138.5 career sacks, Miller is a veritable lock for Canton. He is the league's active sacks leader and ranks ninth on the all-time list.

Aaron Rodgers, QB, Pittsburgh Steelers

AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar

Some players reach the Hall of Fame because of long, fruitful careers. Others enter Canton because they spend a notable stretch as the league's unquestioned best player at their position. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers has experienced both.

While the Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback hasn't played at an elite level in several years—and experienced a forgettable two-year run with the New York Jets—there was a time when no signal-caller was considered more talented.

During his 15-year run as the Green Bay Packers' starter, Rodgers had incredible production and accolades. He made 10 Pro Bowls, was a four-time MVP and won one Super Bowl over that span. He also led the Packers to 11 playoff berths before coming back and helping Pittsburgh make the playoffs in 2025.

With 66,274 career passing yards, Rodgers ranks fifth on the all-time list. His 6,040 yards rank third on the all-time postseason passing list, behind only Tom Brady and Peyton Manning.

Rodgers will be a first-ballot Hall of Famer.

Matthew Stafford, QB, Los Angeles Rams

AP Photo/Stephen Brashear

After Mahomes and Rodgers, Matthew Stafford is the active quarterback who's most likely to reach the Hall of Fame. Other QBs who played this past season, including Russell Wilson and Philip Rivers, may get in as well, but Stafford is approaching first-ballot status.

Adding a regular-season MVP to the Super Bowl win on his resume helps Stafford's case considerably.

Stafford, who spent the first 12 years of his career with the Detroit Lions, has long been one of the top pure passers in the NFL. However, he made just one Pro Bowl in Detroit and didn't start compiling hardware until he was traded to the Rams in 2021.

The 37-year-old is now a three-time Pro Bowler with one ring and two appearances in the NFC Championship Game. Stafford's 64,516 career passing yards also rank sixth on the all-time list. Only Rodgers has more among active quarterbacks.

Bobby Wagner, LB, Washington Commanders

AP Photo/Adam Hunger

Commanders linebacker Bobby Wagner will turn 36 in June, but he remains one of the league's best all-around defenders. This past season, he racked up 162 tackles, 4.5 sacks, eight tackles for loss and four passes defended.

Wagner is best known for his time with the Seattle Seahawks, and he also spent a season with the Rams. He's been playing at a high level for 14 seasons now, but his case for Canton is about more than just longevity.

The 10-time Pro Bowler and six-time first-team All-Pro was an important member of Seattle's Legion of Boom defense that won Super Bowl XLVIII and lost the Super Bowl the following year. Along with those career highs, Wagner's consistency makes him a near-lock for the Hall of Fame.

Wagner's 1,150 solo tackles rank fifth on the all-time list, and his 2,000 combined tackles are third all-time. Wagner has also started 19 playoff games, and his 178 combined postseason tackles are second all-time behind only Ray Lewis.

T.J. Watt, Edge, Pittsburgh Steelers

AP Photo/Terrance Williams

If not for Garrett, T.J. Watt would probably be universally viewed as the top pass-rusher of his era. The Steelers standout has led the league in sacks three times and is a four-time first-team All-Pro, an eight-time Pro Bowler and the 2021 Defensive Player of the Year.

In that 2021 season, Watt tied Michael Strahan's single-season record with 22.5 sacks.

Watt's ability to disrupt games hasn't been exclusively reliant on sacks, either. He's twice led the league in tackles for loss and twice led the NFL in forced fumbles.

The only real knock on Watt's career is the fact that he's never experienced a playoff win. However, that won't keep Watt, who ranks 26th on the all-time sacks list, out of the Hall of Fame.

Trent Williams, OT, San Francisco 49ers

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For roughly a decade, Browns offensive tackle Joe Thomas was the gold standard for NFL left tackles. He was a first-ballot Hall of Famer in 2023.

Since Thomas retired, San Francisco 49ers tackle Trent Williams has taken the mantle of the league's top LT. He may also enter Canton in his first year of eligibility.

While Williams didn't play for more than a decade without missing a snap as Thomas did, he's consistently played at an elite level when healthy. The 37-year-old, who began his career with the Commanders in 2010, has made 12 Pro Bowls over the last 13 years. He's also a three-time first-team All-Pro.

Injuries have limited Williams a few times each season, but he's started an impressive 203 games over his 17 seasons.

Williams hasn't won a Super Bowl, but he's played in one and reached three NFC title games with the 49ers. He's been a part of six total playoff runs and has started 13 postseason games.