NFL Hall of Fame Tracker: Stafford Wins MVP as 17 Players Reach Lock Status

Matthew Stafford enters the top seven for career passing yards and touchdowns following an MVP season and Super Bowl victory.

Matthew Stafford has secured his place as a future Hall of Famer after winning the NFL MVP award last season. The Los Angeles Rams quarterback now ranks among the top seven players in league history for both career passing yards and passing touchdowns. He joins 16 other active players, including wide receiver Davante Adams and edge rusher Myles Garrett, who have already built résumés sufficient for enshrinement if they retired today. Adams is recognized for a five-year peak as the premier receiver in football, while Garrett is cited as one of the greatest defenders in the history of the sport.

In the NFC West, the San Francisco 49ers feature two first-ballot locks in wide receiver Mike Evans and offensive tackle Trent Williams. Running back Christian McCaffrey is also categorized as a lock despite past injury struggles, having multiple seasons as the league's top player at his position. Fullback Kyle Juszczyk earned his 10th consecutive Pro Bowl selection in 2025, a milestone that historically guarantees enshrinement for every eligible player, yet his status remains uncertain due to playing roughly 50% of offensive snaps and a recent contract restructure that saved the 49ers $500,000.

NFC West Roster Projections

Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker has recorded eight Pro Bowls across nine seasons, despite his team achieving only one winning record during that span. He requires two additional Pro Bowl nods to reach the 10-appearance threshold that serves as a historical lock for Canton. Cardinals teammate Trey McBride increased his production significantly in 2025, catching 11 touchdowns to nearly double his previous three-year total of six. In Los Angeles, Puka Nacua has recorded seasons of 1,486 and 1,715 receiving yards through his first three years. Rams edge rusher Byron Young earned his first Pro Bowl after a 2025 campaign featuring 12 sacks and 29 knockdowns.

San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle has made seven Pro Bowls in eight years but is recovering from a right Achilles tear suffered during the last postseason. Linebacker Fred Warner similarly faces a recovery path after earning four first-team All-Pro selections in five years prior to a serious injury one year ago. Defensive end Nick Bosa, a former Defensive Player of the Year, has lost two of his seven seasons to September ACL tears. Meanwhile, Seattle Seahawks receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba is coming off an Offensive Player of the Year award, and cornerback Devon Witherspoon became the 10th defensive back in history to start a career with three straight Pro Bowl selections.

NFC South Performance Metrics

Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson recorded 820 receiving yards in 2025, nearly doubling his combined totals from the 2023 and 2024 seasons. Falcons guard Chris Lindstrom has earned four consecutive Pro Bowl honors, though he lacks the first-team All-Pro nods typically required for interior linemen. In New Orleans, Cameron Jordan recorded 10.5 sacks in 2025 and likely needs six sacks in 2026 to solidify his candidacy. Alvin Kamara’s production has shifted significantly; he averaged 1,746 yards from scrimmage and 5.0 yards per carry with Drew Brees but has dropped to 1,206 yards and 3.9 yards per carry since 2021.

Carolina Panthers cornerback Jaycee Horn secured back-to-back Pro Bowls, while wideout Tetairoa McMillan won Offensive Rookie of the Year following a 1,014-yard season. Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Antoine Winfield Jr. remains a candidate after a 2023 season featuring six sacks, six forced fumbles, and three interceptions, though he missed half of the subsequent year. Buccaneers receiver Chris Godwin saw a potential 1,400-yard pace in 2024 ended by a dislocated ankle, following a previous 1,103-yard season in 2021 that was cut short by an ACL tear.

NFC North and Historical Benchmarks

Chicago Bears guard Joe Thuney has earned three consecutive first-team All-Pro selections and four straight Pro Bowls after turning 30. His résumé is bolstered by deep playoff runs with both the New England Patriots and Kansas City Chiefs. The 2002 NFL season, the first with 32 teams, currently has 54 players enshrined in the Hall of Fame out of 1,839 who played at least one game. This 3% benchmark excludes Tom Brady, who becomes eligible in 2028, and candidates like Reggie Wayne and Steve Smith. Current young prospects like 2026 draftees Caleb Downs and Arvell Reese represent the next generation of potential candidates.