CBS Sports identifies 17 active NFL players as certain Hall of Fame inductees
The publication highlights Aaron Rodgers, Patrick Mahomes, and Myles Garrett among a group of 17 active National Football League players deemed locks for future enshrinement.
CBS Sports published an analysis on 7 August 2026 identifying 17 active National Football League players as certain future inductees into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The article, titled Hall of Fame locks: Active NFL players bound for enshrinement include Aaron Rodgers, Myles Garrett, outlines the career achievements and accolades of the players listed as locks for enshrinement. The piece notes that the Class of 2026 will be inducted in Canton, Ohio, on Saturday, and discusses the career achievements and accolades of the active players listed as locks for enshrinement.
The analysis highlights Aaron Rodgers, Myles Garrett, Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson, Matthew Stafford, Derrick Henry, Tyreek Hill, Davante Adams, Mike Evans, Travis Kelce, Trent Williams, Lane Johnson, Chris Jones, Khalil Mack, Von Miller, T.J. Watt, and Bobby Wagner. The publication notes that Rodgers is set to close his career this year, with eligibility for Hall of Fame election in 2032, five years after retirement to eliminate recency bias.
Patrick Mahomes is described as having stacked up two regular-season MVP trophies and three Super Bowl MVP crowns by age 30, making him one of just five quarterbacks to win at least three Super Bowls. Lamar Jackson is identified as the greatest rusher in the position's history with 6,522 yards and the most efficient passer in league history with a 102.2 rating, having won two MVP awards.
Matthew Stafford is noted as a shoo-in after leading the league in passing yards, touchdowns, and TD-INT ratio as a 37-year-old, securing an MVP award. Derrick Henry joined the 12,000-yard club, becoming the 10th player to hit 13,000 yards, while Tyreek Hill is recognised as the only receiver in NFL history to post two 1,700-yard seasons in consecutive years.
Davante Adams is highlighted for becoming the 18th player to crack the 1,000 career catch threshold, while Mike Evans holds the record for the most consecutive 1,000-yard seasons to start a career with 11 straight years. Travis Kelce is cited as the most prolific pass-catcher in postseason history with three Super Bowl titles and seven consecutive All-Pro selections.
Trent Williams and Lane Johnson are recognised for their longevity and impact as offensive linemen, with Williams securing three first-team All-Pro selections in his mid-30s. Chris Jones is described as arguably the second-greatest defensive tackle of his generation, while Myles Garrett is noted for his 23 sacks in a single Defensive Player of the Year campaign.
Khalil Mack is credited with redefining positional nomenclature in 2015, while Von Miller retains his status as the active career sack leader with 138.5 sacks. T.J. Watt is identified as the second-fastest player to hit the 100 career sack mark, and Bobby Wagner is the active tackle leader at exactly 2,000 tackles, having recorded 11 consecutive years of All-Pro production.
