With QBs that have retired in the last 5 years, there are some interesting HOF debates that I see coming up. Right now the sure-fire HOF guys are Brady, Brees, and Rodgers when he retires. The next tier, however, is a lot more interesting. You have Matt Ryan, Big Ben, and Rivers who are all very close. What’s interesting is that according to Pro Football Reference’s HOF Monitor, they all have fairly similar scores even though they have different resumes. Ryan has the MVP/All-Pro 1 season which is pretty much required unless you have 2 Super Bowls. Ben doesn’t have a crazy MVP season, but he does have those 2 Super Bowls and 17 good years. Then Rivers has some crazy counting stats. I think that Ryan and Roethlisberger have a slight edge over Rivers but it is very hard to separate the 3. So my question is do we think any of them make it? If they do it opens up the debate for a lot of players in the future. Also, how do we think the HOF committee weighs Rings/MVPS/All-Pro teams? The media is always so focused on the rings but looking at the resumes of HOF QBs there are a lot more without rings than there are without All-Pro seasons.
Edit: Here is the PFR Monitor. The average HOF QB has a score of 108. Ryan has a score of 106, Ben has a score of 100, and Rivers is at 98.
HOF is honestly more about what people remember about a player more than anything. Like what is there legacy when people talk about them.
Rodgers will be remembered as having the greatest arm talent of all time. He obviously gets in.
Brees will go down as one of if not the best pure passer of all time. At minimum the most accurate ever that proved to be able to win. He is a lock.
Tom Brady is the GOAT…
Big Ben will be remembered one of the most ultimate winners, who is one of the most naturally talented QBs of all time. I think he easily gets in.
But that then brings us to -
Matt Ryan - I just don’t know what exactly will he be remembered for. I know A LOT of people think of the blown Super Bowl lead when they think of him. And even disregarding the Super Bowl, it’s also just I don’t think he is that memorable of a QB. For perspective even tho he is without a doubt the best and most successful QB in franchise history, I think there are A LOT of fans who still think of Michael Vick when they think of the Atlanta Falcons. So yeah I honestly don’t know if he gets in
Eli Manning - I don’t think he will get in but him beating Brady in 2 Super Bowls honestly does help him a ton. Like if he were to beat 2 other QBs I don’t think he has a shot. But the fact Brady’s legacy is so huge and Eli’s legacy his so closely tied to it. I think it’s possible he gets in but unlikely
Then the most interesting one I think is Russell Wilson. Because his career with the Seahawks was not only VERY successful, but he also carved out a lane that I think would really be remembered by the voters. That being he will probably be considered the ultimate scrambling QB. But now with everything on the Broncos it really has hurt his legacy and honestly boosted Pete Carrols
And Philip Rivers not even being mentioned says it all, really. I agree with this assessment overall, but I feel more bullish about Eli’s chances, because I think the NFL would love another Manning in the Hall.