From dynasty staples to those who didn’t make it through training camp, 28 former members of the New England Patriots are included in the 167 modern-era nominees for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2025.
The induction cycle for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2025 kicked off on Thursday. In the first step of the six-month process, The Hall announced 167 players as modern-era nominees for this year’s class.
Of those 167 players, 28 were members of the Patriots at some point in their careers. That group ranges from cornerstones of Super Bowl winning teams, to some who were only briefly with the team during the offseason.
MORE: Week 3 Patriots Mailbag
That group also includes three players who are eligible for the first time. Players become eligible for Hall of Fame induction once they’ve been retired for five years.
This initial group of nominees will be cut down to 25 semifinalists later this fall by the selection committee. From there the committee will narrow the list down again to 15 finalists late in the season. The final step is selecting up to five players to be part of the Class of 2025, which will be announced in the week leading up to the Super Bowl.
Which former Patriots have the best chance of making it into that group? Let’s take a look, position-by-position…
Quarterback
FOXBORO, MA – AUGUST 18: Quarterback Doug Flutie #2 of the New England Patriots looks to pass against the New Orleans Saints at Gillette Stadium on August 18, 2005 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. The Saints won the game 37-27. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
—Doug Flutie
—Rich GannonWe start with a local player in Flutie, who attended Natick High School and then Boston College. Most of his professional success came with the Buffalo Bills and San Diego Chargers (as well as in the CFL and USFL), but he did have two separate stints with the Patriots. He started 13 games over three years in the late 80s, then returned as a backup in 2005. That produced maybe his most memorable moment, when he connected on the NFL’s first drop kick since 1941.
Then there’s Gannon, who was drafted by the Patriots in the fourth round in 1987 out of Delaware. The Patriots wanted to turn Gannon, dual-threat quarterback, into a running back, receiver, or defensive back. Gannon wasn’t happy with the plan and demanded to be traded, which he was before the season. It was the right call by him as he went on to have a long career as an NFL quarterback, including winning league MVP in 2002 at the age of 37. Of course Gannon still has his place in Patriots history as the quarterback for the Raiders in the Snow Bowl.
Running back
Runningback Corey Dillon of the New England Patriots during the AFC Division playoff game against the Indianapolis Colts at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts on January 16, 2005. The Patriots beat the Colts 20-3 to advance to the AFC Championship against the Pittsburgh Steelers. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
RB Corey Dillon
RB Fred Taylor
RB Steven Jackson
RB Terry Allen
FB Larry CentersDillon is back on the initial ballot for the 13th time in 2025. He ranks 20th all-time in career rushing yards with 11,241, and doesn’t project to lose that standing any time soon (the next closest active player behind him is Derrick Henry, who is still 1,600 yards behind). He was more career rushing yards than multiple Hall of Famers. When it comes to touchdowns, Dillon is also among the all-time leaders, with his 82 scores ranking 19th. 3,180 of his yards and 37 of his touchdowns came in his final three NFL seasons, all with the Patriots.
Taylor’s Hall of Fame case is very similar to Dillon’s. In fact, he ranks ahead of him in all-time rushing yards, with his 11,695 yards ranking 17th. Also like Dillon, Taylor didn’t join the Patriots until late in his career. He’s best known for his 11 years with the Jacksonville Jaguars, which included seven 1,000-yard seasons. Taylor is entering his 10th year on the ballot.
Jackson also didn’t come to the Patriots until late in his career, but didn’t have the same kind of success as Dillon or Taylor. Jackson joined the team late in the 2015 season when injuries depleted the running back depth that was in place. He struggled to make a difference, as the Patriots lost three of the four games he played in culminating with an AFC Championship defeat in Denver.
The final running back is Allen, who had his best years with Minnesota and Washington before joining the Patriots for a single season in 1999. He started 13 games that year.
Then there’s the case of Centers, who has been eligible since 2009. Centers revolutionized how backs can be used in the passing game. He was the first ever back to record a 100-catch season in 1995, and no other player matched him for another eight years. His 827 career receptions are still the most ever by a back, and the fifth-most for a non-receiver, behind only Tony Gonzalez (Hall of Famer), Jason Witten (not yet eligible) and Antonio Gates (a finalist last year), and Travis Kelce (still playing). We broke down his unique Hall of Fame case a few years ago in full here.
Wide receiver
FOXBORO, MA – JANUARY 20: Wes Welker #83 of the New England Patriots runs with the ball after a catch against the Baltimore Ravens during the 2013 AFC Championship game at Gillette Stadium on January 20, 2013 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
—Irving Fryar
—Torry Holt
—Chad Johnson
—Reggie Wayne
—Wes Welker
—Demaryius ThomasWe’ll start with the big Patriots names – with the biggest being Welker. Despite the fact that he was the NFL’s best slot receiver for nearly a decade, Wes Welker hasn’t made it past the initial round of voting in any of his first three years on the ballot. From 2007-2013 Welker caught 812 passes – nearly 100 more than the next closest player (Andre Johnson has 719 in that span).
Welker’s Hall of Fame case will be telling as one of the first dominant players from the NFL’s age of specialization start to become eligible. The committee has generally only recognized players who fit the traditional mold at a given position, with players from more recently-developed, breakoff positions like slot receiver, pass-catching back (Larry Centers), or even kick returners like Devin Hester (who reached the finalist round last year in his first year of eligibility) not getting as much attention.
There’s also Fryar, who was drafted first overall by the Patriots in the 1984 NFL Draft and played nine of his 17 NFL seasons in New England. That included an All-Pro season in 1985, but four of his five Pro Bowl seasons came with other teams later in his career. He still ranks 21st all-time with 12,785 receiving yards, and 20th with 84 touchdown catches. Fryar also has the distinction of catching at least one touchdown from an NFL record 19 different passers.
Holt, Johnson, Wayne, and first-time nominee Thomas. All four joined the Patriots late in their career after being leading receivers elsewhere. Johnson spent a full season with the Patriots but didn’t have much production. The other three never appeared in a regular season game in New England.
Tight end
15 Nov 1998: Tight end Ben Coates #87 of the New England Patriots in action against safety Henry Jones #20 of the Buffalo Bills during the game at the Rich Stadium in Orchard Park, New York. The Bills defeated the Patriots 13-10. Mandatory Credit: Rick Stewart /Allsport
—TE Ben Coates
Coates is long overdue for induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, plain and simple. He absolutely dominated his era in a way that was ahead of his time. Between 1991 and 2000 he ranks second most receptions (499) and yards (5,555) by any NFL tight end, behind only Shannon Sharpe. No other tight end, including Sharpe, scored more touchdowns (50) in the 90s. Despite that, the selection committee hasn’t given him much thought.
Offensive line
Nov 11, 2012; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots guard Logan Mankins (70) blocks against the Buffalo Bills during the first half at Gillette Stadium. The Patriots defeated the Bills 37-31. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
OT Bruce Armstrong
OG Logan Mankins
OG Brian WatersA first-round pick in 2005, Mankins did what many players don’t tend to do at such a physical position – he stayed on the field. For nine of his 11 NFL seasons, Mankins played either 15 or 16 games. That included playing through a torn ACL for the entirety of the 2011 season. He is a six-time All-Pro, and a member of the NFL’s All-Decade team for the 2010s. In three years of eligibility, Mankins has never made it past the first round of voting. His resume suggests he should have a chance to get enshrined in Canton, will he get a longer look this year?
Armstrong – who is the most recent player to have his number retired by the team – is already in the Patriots team Hall of Fame. The team’s first-round draft pick in 1987, Armstrong spent his entire 14-year career with the Patriots, playing in and started 212 games before retiring after the 2000 season. He was a three-time All-Pro and six-time Pro Bowler who is a part of the Patriots’ All-80s and All-90s teams, as well as the 35th and 50th Anniversary teams.
Best known for his 11 seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs, Waters followed that time with a season in New England. It was the sixth of his six All-Pro seasons, as he started all 16-games for the league’s top offense. He’s never been a finalist in eight years on the ballot.
Defensive line
FOXBORO, MA – JANUARY 22: Vince Wilfork #75 of the New England Patriots celebrates after defeating the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC Championship Game at Gillette Stadium on January 22, 2012 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. The New England Patriots defeated the Baltimore Ravens 20-23. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
DT Henry Thomas
DT Ted Washington
DT Vince WilforkWilfork should have one of the strongest cases for induction of any player on this list just by talent level. However, his position isn’t on that traditionally fills up the box score – something that has caused the committee to overlook players in the past (see: Richard Seymour).
While not having traditional Hall of Fame numbers, Wilfork’s impact is clear when watching him play. Teams blocking schemes completely revolved around handling him at the point of attack. During his tenure the Patriots were regularly one of the toughest teams to run on in the NFL. When he missed 12 games in 2013 their rank against the run dropped all the way to 30th from ninth the year before. Wilfork was also incredibly durable during his career, playing at least 13 games in all but one of his 13 NFL seasons. This is Wilfork’s third year of eligibility.
Washington was another dominant nose tackle a decade before Wilfork. At 6-foot-5, 375-pounds he was a true defensive anchor for 17 years in the NFL, including with the Super Bowl-winning Patriots in 2003.
Thomas played the final four seasons of his 14-year NFL career with the Patriots, from 1997-2000 after a Pro Bowl-stint with the Vikings. In his time in New England he had 21 sacks in 64 games.
Linebacker
HOUSTON – FEBRUARY 1: Defensive end Willie McGinest #55 of the New England Patriots stands next to defensive end Bobby Hamilton #91 in Super Bowl XXXVIII against the Carolina Panthers at Reliant Stadium on February 1, 2004 in Houston, Texas. The Patriots defeated the Panthers 32-29. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)
LB/DE Willie McGinest
LB Tedy Bruschi
LB James Harrison
LB Mike VrabelMcGinest is listed with the linebackers here, but on the official release he’s included with both the linebackers and defensive linemen. One of the more underappreciated players from his era in the NFL, McGinest ranked fifth in both tackles for a loss (96) and sacks (85) during his 15 NFL season from 1994 to 2008. He also has the postseason sack records for a single game (4.5) and career (16).
Bruschi is an all-time Patriot, and his contributions go well beyond stats and league honors. But playing in the same era as guys like Ray Lewis, Brian Urlacher, Zack Thomas, Joey Porter, and Derrick Brooks, he faces some tough competition.
Vrabel is back on the initial ballot for the second year in a row after a few years off. A 2007 All-Pro, he recorded 57 career sacks and 11 interceptions in 14 NFL seasons and won three Super Bowls with the Patriots. He also caught 12 passes – all for touchdowns – when used as an occasional goal line tight end.
Harrison had a legendary career with the Pittsburgh Steelers, recording the third-most sacks (84.5) during his tenure in the league from 2002-2017. He ended his final season with the Patriots.
Cornerback
FOXBORO, MA – DECEMBER 8: Aqib Talib #31 of the New England Patriots looks on during a game with Cleveland Browns at Gillette Stadium on December 8, 2013 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)
—Aqib Talib
Talib is in his first year of eligibility. A five-time Pro Bowler and All Pro with the Patriots in 2013, he recorded 35 interceptions and 125 pass breakups in 148 career games. Talib’s tenure with the Patriots was short – he appeared in 19 games between 2012 and 2013 – but it was memorable as he gave the team a true No. 1 corner after years of spotty play at the position following the departure of Asante Samuel. Talib was known as a very physical corner and strong trash talker.
Safety
FOXBORO, MA – DECEMBER 12: Rodney Harrison #37 of the New England Patriots talks to Chad Johnson #85 of the Cincinnati Bengals after Johnson was unable to catch a ball in the end zone at Gillette Stadium on December 12, 2004 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. The Patriots won 35-28. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
—Rodney Harrison
Now we get to Harrison, who is one of the biggest Hall of Fame snubs in all of professional sports right now. His resume doesn’t leave much for debate – he’s a four-time All-Pro and was the most dominant strong safety in the NFL for multiple years. Harrison’s case can be summed up best by the fact he was the inaugural member of the NFL’s 30/30 club, as the first player with 30 career sacks and 30 career interceptions.
Harrison’s induction is long overdue. After making it to the finalist round last year, is this the year he gets through?
Kicker
Adam Vinatieri is a four-time Super Bowl champion who holds the record most career points in NFL history.
—Adam Vinatieri
Vinatieri is in his first year of eligibility after a 24-year NFL career. The first 10 of those season were in New England where Vinatieri was a two-time All-Pro and hit some of the biggest kicks in NFL history. He played 14 more years with the Colts and retired as the NFL’s all-time leading scorer.
Kickers getting into the Pro Football Hall of Fame is rare – they’re are only two dedicated kickers in so far, Jan Stenerud and Morten Andersen. If any kicker deserves this honor though it’s Vinatieri, and he should be considered as a first-ballot player.
Not included
KANSAS CITY, MO – NOVEMBER 27: Troy Brown #80 of the New England Patriots carries the ball during the game against the Kansas City Chiefs on November 27, 2005 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. The Chiefs won 26-16. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)
WR Troy Brown
OT Matt Light
LB Larry IzzoThree former Patriots were initial nominees last year, but aren’t on the ballot this year. That group is made up of Troy Brown, Matt Light, and Larry Izzo. They’ll all have a chance to get back on the ballot next year.
