Pro Football Hall of Fame: 52 Seniors Advance

As soon as a Pro Football Hall of Fame Class is inducted in early August the attention turns to the next Class. It’s a never ending cycle. Some movement in the process has taken place with the Seniors candidates for the Pro Football Hall Class of 2026. The Seniors Screening Committee has whittled 162 nominees to 52 candidates. The Seniors Blue-Ribbon Committee (that’s the group’s actual title) will reduce the list of 52 to 25, then again to nine, in balloting that will occur over the next several weeks. They will then meet virtually to discuss those nine Semifinalists and will choose three Finalists for the Class of 2026. The members of the Seniors Blue-Ribbon Committee also serve on the full Hall of Fame Selection Committee. 

Players enter the seemingly endless Seniors Pool 25 years after they last played and after their Hall of Fame merits have been debated for 20 years. It’s a frustrating deal because many of these players should’ve been inducted decades ago. With some voters refusing to acknowledge any players that played before their time covering football, it’s actually infuriating for anyone that care about the game’s history. Those posers as voters should refresh themselves on the Hall’s mission. “Honor the Greatest of the Game. Preserve its History. Promote its Values. Celebrate Excellence Together.” 

Anyway, here are the 52 candidates that will now have their great careers debated by the Seniors Blue-Ribbon Committee. 

Quarterbacks (5):

Ken Anderson

Charlie Conerly

Roman Gabriel

Jack Kemp

Don Meredith

Running Backs (6):

Ottis Anderson

Larry Brown

Roger Craig

Chuck Foreman

Cecil Isbell

Paul “Tank” Younger

Wide Receivers/Tight Ends (9):

Mark Clayton

Isaac Curtis

Lavvie Dilweg

Henry Ellard

Harold Jackson

Billy “White Shoes” Johnson

Stanley Morgan

Art Powell

Otis Taylor

Offensive Linemen (11):

Jay Hilgenberg

Chris Hinton

Joe Jacoby

Mike Kenn

Bob Kuechenberg

Marvin Powell

Dick Schafrath

Jerry Sisemore

Walt Sweeney

Jim Tyrer

Al Wistert

Defensive Linemen (4):

L.C. Greenwood

Ed “Too Tall” Jones

Jim Marshall

Harvey Martin

Linebackers (8):

Carl Banks

Maxie Baughan

Mike Curtis

Larry Grantham

Lee Roy Jordan

Clay Matthews Jr.

Matt Millen

Tommy Nobis

Defensive Backs (8):

Dick Anderson

Bobby Boyd

Pat Fischer

Lester Hayes

Albert Lewis

Eddie Meador

Lemar Parrish

Everson Walls

Special Teams (1):

Steve Tasker

This is a fine list. It’d be an even finer list if Green Bay Packers do-everything back Verne Lewellen was on it. He probably should’ve been inducted in one of the first dozen, or so, Classes. Seeing as he played from 1924-32, he’s waited as long as anyone. He’s waited too long. I’m also surprised that Detroit Lions offensive lineman Ox Emerson isn’t on this list. Despite those issues, it’s a fine list. There’s at least 20 that have a serious case to be among the Final 3. My Minnesota Vikings bias leads me to Chuck Foreman and Jim Marshall. It hurts but the historian in me puts those two just out of reach of the Final 3. The Pro Football Hall of Fame voters must finally do their jobs and put the following where they’ve long belonged. 

Lavvie Dilweg

Al Wistert

Both were among the very best of their era. Both won multiple titles. Both should have busts in the Hall. 

After Lavvie Dilweg and Al Wistert, it’s a tough choice but it’s probably Maxie Baughan. 

More Minnesota Vikings Offensive Line Juggling

This is getting ridiculous.

The Minnesota Vikings are playing the Cleveland Browns in London on Sunday. It’s the fifth game of the season. After their Week 4 game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Dublin, the Browns game is also the Vikings second consecutive game on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean. From afar, the Vikings have had to do some juggling of their offensive line. Far too much juggling. 

Against the Steelers, the Vikings offensive line was as close to the projected starting five as it’s been all season. Only first-round left guard Donovan Jackson was missing. He had wrist surgery earlier in the week and is expected to be out until after the team’s Week 6 bye. Solid and experienced, Blake Brandel filled in for Jackson at left guard. The offensive line was so close to being whole and the one dreamed about for months. It was going to be beautiful. Instead of beautiful, right tackle Brian O’Neill suffered a sprained MCL while blocking for the field goal that capped the first possession. Center Ryan Kelly exited at halftime with a concussion, his second of the season. The Vikings started the Steelers game so, so close to their ideal offensive line. They finished the game with only two of their projected starters on the field, left tackle Christian Darrisaw and right guard Will Fries. 

I’m not sure when it happened. Sometime between the time that he replaced Ryan Kelly in the Steelers game and the initial practice of the week, center Michael Jurgens suffered a hamstring injury. He’s yet to practice this week. With each missed practice, it’s looking less likely that he’ll be available for Sunday’s game against the Browns. Practices this week in preparation for Sunday’s regular season game has looked like a July training camp practice when it comes to the center position. It’s a “what-have-we-got” deal as Blake Brandel, Joe Huber, Henry Byrd, and Vershon Lee have been seen taking center snaps. When I first heard that Jurgens might miss the game, I imagined undrafted free agent Vershon Lee stepping up from the practice squad. It was knee-jerk thought simply because I was impressed with his play in a couple preseason games. Those games were fringe roster players vs. fringe roster players. An undrafted rookie jumping from the practice squad to starting against a talented Browns defensive line is a tough deal. I imagine that Brandel is the next man up at center. He’s a solid, versatile offensive lineman. A sixth-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, he came to the Vikings as a tackle. He was a swing-tackle his first three seasons and was effective in five starts. He was the starting left guard last season. If the Vikings hadn’t selected Donovan Jackson in the first round, Brandel would’ve been the starting left guard this season. I always hate seeing teams messing with two positions on the offensive line to replace one. It’s never made sense to me but I’m a fan on a couch. What do I know? Of the candidates for the Vikings center position, Brandel is the best and most experienced offensive lineman. He has taken center snaps in practice over the years but he has no game experience at the position. If Brandel is the choice at center, undrafted rookie Joe Huber is expected to start at left guard against the Browns. That would give the Vikings the following offensive line.

LT Christian Darrisaw

LG Joe Huber

  C Blake Brandel 

RG Will Fries

RT Justin Skule

At least Christian Darrisaw is out there. Teams often try to put their five best offensive linemen on the field together with little regard to the positions they’ve played. That sort of tinkering is usually done in training camp. Due to injuries, the Vikings are being forced to do it in preparation for a Week 5 game. Injuries are an unfortunate but inevitable aspect of football. Even the most pessimistic among us wouldn’t have predicted a run of injuries that would force the Vikings to field a third-string left guard, a third-string center, and a second-string right tackle in a Week 5 game. The team is real close to having tight end Josh Oliver on the ready for offensive line snaps. With all that in mind, the above five offensive linemen are the five best offensive linemen currently available to the Vikings. For that reason, I do get the decision to mess with two positions to replace one. 

Another Minnesota Vikings Offensive Line

The Minnesota Vikings focused on improving the offensive line this offseason. Finally. It should’ve been the focus about a decade ago and remained a focus ever since. That was then. This is now and the Vikings finally improved the talent on the offensive line rather than dabbling at improvements. After signing center Ryan Kelly and guard Will Fries in free agency and selecting guard Donovan Jackson in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft, that focus was clearly more than just a nice idea. With excellent tackles Christian Darrisaw and Brian O’Neill already in place, the Vikings had the players in place for an outstanding offensive line. 

LT Christian Darrisaw

LG Donovan Jackson

  C Ryan Kelly

RG Will Fries

RT Brian O’Neill

Due to the easing of Christian Darrisaw onto the field after last season’s knee injury and various injuries to three of the other linemen, that dreamy offensive line has played zero snaps together. With high hopes entering the season, it’s frustrating for the Vikings to be sitting at 2-2 through four weeks. A big reason for the frustrating start has been the injuries that have consistently jumbled the offensive line. Not only have the projected starters not played a snap together, the Vikings will be starting their fourth different group of the season when they face the Cleveland Browns in London on Sunday. 

Week 1

LT Justin Skule

LG Donovan Jackson

  C Ryan Kelly

RG Will Fries

RT Brian O’Neill

Christian Darrisaw was way ahead of schedule in his rehab from the knee injury that ended his 2024 season in October. There were hopes that he’d be ready for Week 1. The Vikings took no chances and kept Darrisaw off the field in Week 1. Week 2 as well. 

Week 2

LT Justin Skule

LG Donovan Jackson

  C Ryan Kelly

RG Will Fries

RT Brian O’Neill

The Week 2 game against the Atlanta Falcons was the start of the injuries that have consistently jumbled the offensive line since. Ryan Kelly and Justin Skule left this game with concussions.  Each would miss Week 3. 

Week 3

LT Christian Darrisaw

LG Donovan Jackson

  C Michael Jurgens

RG Will Fries

RT Brian O’Neill

At least Christian Darrisaw returned to the field. With the big guy back, it’s no surprise that the Week 3 game against the Cincinnati Bengals was the best the offensive line, and offense, has looked all season. It helps that the defense scored two touchdowns and forced five turnovers. It was also nice that the offensive line left the game with no injuries. Well, that’s not quite true. It turns out Donovan Jackson injured his wrist against the Falcons. It was determined that he wouldn’t further injure the wrist if he played against the Bengals but he’d need surgery soon after. He had that surgery the day after the game. That surgery will keep him out through the Week 6 bye. So, no Jackson for the overseas games in Weeks 4 and 5. 

Week 4

LT Christian Darrisaw

LG Blake Brandel

  C Ryan Kelly

RG Will Fries

RT Brian O’Neill

Donovan Jackson’s wrist surgery kept Week 4 from being the debut of the “Dreamy 5.” Ryan Kelly returned from his Week 2 concussion. Blake Brandel is a solid replacement for Jackson. This group had the potential to build on the improved offensive line play of Week 3. Unfortunately, this group wasn’t on the field long. Group leader and team stalwart Brian O’Neill suffered a knee injury while blocking for the field goal that capped the Vikings first possession. Ryan Kelly left the game at halftime with another concussion. His concussion situation has become the team’s most concerning injury situation. While this promising group started the game, Christian Darrisaw and Will Fries were the only projected starters that finished it. And, that will be case against the Browns on Sunday. As of now, it looks like the Vikings will be trotting out these five offensive onto the Tottenham Hotspur turf.

Week 5

LT Christian Darrisaw

LG Blake Brandel

  C Michael Jurgens

RG Will Fries

RT Justin Skule

At least Christian Darrisaw and Will Fries are out there. Unfortunately, the Browns have one of the best defensive fronts in the league. To be honest, this offensive line has far more promise than many of the offensive lines the Vikings have forced on the field over the past decade-plus. That isn’t really a good thing. It’s more of a coping thing. Darrisaw and Fries are strong players. Blake Brandel is solid. Ryan Kelly’s unfortunate concussions have given Michael Jurgens some needed experience. He’s shown some promise. I’m probably less worried about him than the right tackle situation. Justin Skule had some rough moments when he was filling in for Darrisaw at left tackle in Weeks 1 and 2. Hopefully Skule has a better time on the right side. He’s a solid swing tackle and I believe that he’s better than he showed early in the season. At least, that’s the hope. 

If there’s good news to the Vikings offensive line situation, it’s that Donovan Jackson and Brian O’Neill could be back as soon as the team returns from their Week 6 bye. They are needed as the Vikings hit the roughest part of their schedule upon that return. As for Ryan Kelly, his well-being moving forward is far more important than any football game. 

Minnesota Vikings Week 4 Superlatives

The Minnesota Vikings played a disappointing game in Dublin. It was a 24-21 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Unlike all other games in team history, there’s no return home from this “road” loss. The Vikings are stuck overseas as they play another “road” game against the Cleveland Browns next Sunday. That game is in London. So, rebounding from this game to that game will be done overseas. Anyway, that’s another issue. As for the Steelers game in Dublin, the Vikings didn’t play well but still made it a game. They even had a chance for a tie or win at the end. While it’s always hard to pick superlatives after a loss, a few players did shine against the Steelers.

Offensive Player of the Game

Justin Jefferson, WR

It’s always easy to look to Justin Jefferson. He had his first 100-yard game of the season. 

10 catches, 126 yards

It could’ve been so much more as he had nearly 100 yards at the half. The Steelers had no answer as Jefferson was running free through the Steelers secondary all game. The problem was that Carson Wentz was under constant attack behind a depleted offensive line. 

 

Honorable Mention:

Jordan Addison, WR

Welcome back Jordan Addison! After sitting through a three-game league suspension, Addison was finally on the field. He had four catches for 114 yards. 

Defensive Player of the Game

Jalen Redmond, DT

Jalen Redmond opened the game with a sack of Aaron Rodgers. He collected a second sack later in the game. They were the only sacks of the old fart. The Vikings needed a handful more sacks than that. After a stat-, and score-filled game against the Cincinnati Bengals, this game felt like a step back for the Vikings defense. They need a rebound game against the Browns. Highlighted by the sacks, Redmond was a bright spot against the Steelers. 

Special Teams Player of the Game

Will Reichard, K

As with Justin Jefferson on offense, it’s easy to look at Will Reichard for Special Teams Player of any game. He’s rolling. He made both field goals and the extra point attempted against the Steelers. He’s perfect for the season. 

Vikings - Steelers

The Minnesota Vikings kicked off their two-week stay overseas with a disappointing loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Dublin, 24-21. If there’s any good from the disappointing performance it’s that the Vikings flipped a 21-6 late game “blowout” into a 24-21 “nail-biter.” They even had a chance to tie or win at the end. The frantic comeback is as close to good news as this frustrating loss gets. 

The Vikings made improving the offensive line a particular focus of the offseason. With excellent tackles Christian Darrisaw and Brian O’Neill in place, they overhauled the interior. Center Ryan Kelly and guard Will Fries were signed in free agency. Guard Donovan Jackson was selected in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft. 

The new Vikings offensive line:

LT Christian Darrisaw

LG Donovan Jackson

  C Ryan Kelly

RG Will Fries

RT Brian O’Neill

It was a beautiful projection. 

The number of plays the above five have been on the field together: 0

Coming back from last season’s ACL injury, the Vikings eased Christian Darrisaw into the starting lineup this season. His first game back was last week against the Cincinnati Bengals. Just when things were starting to look beautiful again news dropped that Donovan Jackson had wrist surgery last Monday. He’ll be out through the Week 6 bye. Great. Ryan Kelly missed last week’s game with a concussion. He was back for the Steelers. He left the game at halftime with his second concussion of the season. Great. It gets worse. Brian O’Neill injured a knee while blocking for the successful field goal that capped the Vikings opening drive against the Steelers. He didn’t return to the game and had an MRI later in the day. News on that MRI have yet to be released. With four of the five starters on the field, the Vikings started the Steelers game with as close to the dream offensive line as they’ve had this season. By halftime, only two of those players were on the field. Two starters. Three backups. The Steelers defense took advantage. 

With the offensive line again depleted, it’s no surprise that Carson Wentz was sacked on nearly every third down he faced. When the Vikings had to pass, the Steelers defense simply ran unimpeded to the quarterback. Wentz was sacked six times and harassed relentlessly. He threw two interceptions. Both were tipped at the line of scrimmage. 

With Carson Wentz under constant attack, it’s remarkable that he managed to throw for 350 yards. It helped that he had Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison at the end of many of those passes. The Steelers really had no answer for Jefferson, in particular, and Addison. Both had more than 100 yards.

Justin Jefferson: 10 catches, 126 yards

Jordan Addison: 4 catches, 114 yards

Welcome back Jordan Addison! After having to sit out the season’s first three games to a league suspension, Addison debuted against the Steelers. His highlight play came with just over three minutes to play. He took advantage of blown coverage with an 81-yard catch and run. With an heroic effort, Steelers linebacker Payton Wilson ran down and tripped up Addison at the one-yard line. Wilson’s efforts may have saved the game for the Steelers. It took the Vikings four plays and about 1:17 to score from the one-yard line. Trailing by only three points, the Vikings could’ve used those extra 1:17 on their final possession. 

The Vikings defense opened the game with a Jalen Redmond sack of Aaron Rodgers. They only had one more sack the rest of the game. That was also a Redmond sack. Rodgers peppered the Vikings defense with a quick passing game. It allowed for the efficient sort of offense that I hoped the Vikings would have. The Steelers were steady. The Vikings were frantic. The offensive line injuries in the second half made it too difficult to flip that script. 

The Vikings play the Cleveland Browns in London next Sunday. The Browns defensive line is at least as fearsome as that of the Steelers. I have no idea who the Vikings might have in front of them. Making adjustments while in preparation for a game is far better than having to make them while in the game. One thing is certain, no more damn injuries. 

Pittsburgh Steelers All - Time Team

The Minnesota Vikings play the Pittsburgh Steelers in Dublin tomorrow. The Steelers have an interesting history. For nearly all of my life the team has consistently been one of the NFL’s best. The Steelers won four Super Bowl in the 1970s. They added two more in the 2000s. The Steelers haven’t always been one of the league’s best. From their franchise birth in 1933 to the hiring of Chuck Noll in 1969, the Steelers were consistently terrible. Their only postseason appearance was a tie-breaking playoff game against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1947. The Steelers were so shaky that they had to combine forces with the Eagles in 1943 and Chicago Cardinals in 1944 to survive the World War II years. On the eve of the big international game, here’s a look at some of the best football players in the history of the Pittsburgh Steelers. 

Offense

Quarterback 

Terry Bradshaw

Running Back

Jerome Bettis

Fullback

Franco Harris

Wide Receivers

John Stallworth

Hines Ward

Tight End

Heath Miller

Tackles

Frank Varrichione

Jon Kolb

Guards

Alan Faneca

John Nisby

Center

Mike Webster

Defense

Defensive Ends

L.C. Greenwood

Cameron Heyward

Defensive Tackles

Joe Greene 

Ernie Stautner

Linebackers

Jack Ham

Jack Lambert

T.J. Watt

Cornerbacks

Rod Woodson

Mel Blount

Safeties

Troy Polamalu

Jack Butler

Special Teams

Kicker

Gary Anderson

Punter

Bobby Walden

Returner

Bill Dudley

Minnesota Vikings 53-Man Roster

Due mostly to a frustrating run of injuries, the Minnesota Vikings 53-man roster has changed a bit since it was initially set just four weeks ago. It’s standard NFL stuff. As the injured reserve list grows, the active roster changes. The injuries have forced the team to make room for four quarterbacks on the active roster. As the quarterback room expanded the running back room shrank. There are now only a pair of runnning backs on the active roster. The Vikings are outside the country right now. They are in Ireland in advance of Sunday’s game with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Here’s a refresher look at the roster in advance of the big game. 

2025 Minnesota Vikings 53-Man Roster

Offense (26)

Quarterbacks (4)

Carson Wentz

Max Brosmer

Desmond Ridder

J.J. McCarthy - injured

Running Backs (2)

Jordan Mason

Zavier Scott

Receivers (6)

Justin Jefferson

Jordan Addison

Jalen Nailor

Adam Thielen

Tai Felton

Myles Price

Tight Ends (4)

T.J. Hockenson

Josh Oliver

Ben Yurosek

Nick Vannett

Offensive Line (10)

Christian Darrsisaw

Donovan Jackson

Ryan Kelly

Will Fries

Brian O’Neill

Justin Skule

Blake Brandel

Walter Rouse

Michael Jurgens

Joe Huber

Defense (24)

Defensive Line (6)

Jonathan Allen

Javon Hargrave

Jalen Redmond

Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins

Levi Drake Rodriguez

Elijah Williams

Outside Linebackers (5)

Jonathan Greenard

Andrew Van Ginkel

Dallas Turner

Bo Richter

Chaz Chambliss

Inside Linebackers (4)

Ivan Pace Jr.

Eric Wilson

Kobe King  

Austin Keys

Cornerbacks (4)

Byron Murphy Jr.

Isaiah Rodgers

Jeff Okudah

Dwight McGlothern

Safeties (5)

Harrison Smith

Josh Metellus

Theo Jackson

Jay Ward

Tavierre Thomas

Special Teams (3)

Kickers (1)

Will Reichard

Punter (1)

Ryan Wright

Long Snapper (1)

Andrew DePaola

Practice Squad (16)

Cam Akers, RB

Henry Byrd, G

Dontae Fleming, WR

Tyrek Funderburk, CB

Jonathan Harris, DL

Jeshaun Jones, WR

Tim Jones, WR

Corey Kiner, RB

Vershon Lee, G

Fabian Moreau, CB

Gabriel Murphy, OLB

Bryson Nesbit, TE

Taki Taimani, DL

Sione Takitaki, LB

Zemaiah Vaughn, CB

K’Von Wallace, S

Reserve/Injured

Blake Cashman, LB

Ty Chandler, RB

Zeke Correll, C

Aaron Jones, Sr., RB

Rondale Moore, WR

Matt Nelson, OL

Reserve/Injured; Designated for Return

C.J. Ham, FB

Tyler Batty, OLB

Reserve/Physically Unable To Perform

Gavin Bartholomew, TE