11 active NFL stars guaranteed to make Hall of Fame: Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce and Rams duo
A current NFL quarterback is better than Drew Brees, who is on the verge of being inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Travis Kelce has already stood out more during his NFL career than Luke Kuechly, who was a dominant linebacker for the Carolina Panthers but was limited to eight pro seasons due to injuries.
Larry Fitzgerald and Adam Vinatieri made lasting marks in the NFL, while Roger Craig helped the San Francisco 49ers win three Super Bowls and create a dynasty.
But while the immediate focus will be on the 2026 Hall of Fame ceremony in Canton, Ohio and the NFL preseason opener between the Carolina Panthers and Arizona Cardinals on Thursday at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium, there’s no doubt that a legion of future Hall of Famers is still active in the NFL.
There is a five-year wait after full retirement for an NFL player to be eligible for the Hall.
Tom Brady will be eligible in 2028.
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Below, talkSPORT takes an inside look at the current NFL players who are almost guaranteed to enter the Pro Football Hall of Fame after retirement.
11. Tyreek Hill
Hill’s NFL future is uncertain and he might never be the same.
But eight Pro Bowl selections, five first-team All Pro honors and a Super Bowl ring should push The Cheetah into the hallowed halls of Canton.
Factor in his dominance as a wide receiver (11,363 yards) and kick returner (five touchdowns), and Hill is one of the most dangerous offensive players in NFL history.
10. Chris Jones
Four Chiefs make this list.
No wonder Kansas City created a dynasty under Andy Reid.
Jones was and still is the Chiefs’ defensive anchor, highlighted by seven Pro Bowls and three Super Bowl rings.
9. Von Miller
Miller is a reminder of the power of the NFL Draft.
The former No. 2 overall pick out of Texas A&M has eight Pro Bowl honors, three All Pro selections, two Super Bowl rings and was the MVP of SB 50.
8. Bobby Wagner
Forty-six players were picked before Wagner, who was taken in the second round by the Seattle Seahawks in 2012.
Entering the 2026 season, the highly dependable linebacker had 10 Pro Bowl honors, six All Pro selections and a memorable Super Bowl ring.
Wagner was also named the NFL’s Walter Payton Man of the Year.
7. Myles Garrett
Garrett is in Patrick Mahomes territory on the other side of the ball.
Despite only being in his 10th season, Garrett would make the Hall of Fame if he retired now.
He’s twice been named NFL Defensive Player of the Year, has five All Pro honors and enters 2026 with 125.5 career sacks.
If Garrett keeps playing, he could surpass Bruce Smith (200) to become the NFL’s all-time sack leader.
6. Khalil Mack
Before there was Garrett, there was Mack.
He dominated offenses while representing Oakland and Chicago.
In retrospect, the nine-time Pro Bowler from Buffalo should have followed Aaron Donald at the top of the 2014 draft.
Instead, Jadeveon Clowney went No. 1 and Mack wasn’t taken until No. 5.
Imagine passing on both Donald and Mack — or taking Blake Bortles at No. 3.
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5. Patrick Mahomes
Mahomes is already one of the greatest QBs of all-time and he’s a leading MVP candidate in 2026, despite recovering from two major knee injuries.
With six Pro Bowls, three Super Bowl MVPs and 35,939 career passing yards, the biggest question is how many championship trophies Mahomes will add to his case before he retires.
4. Derrick Henry
Henry is the only running back on this list and the last of his kind.
He’s also the only active NFL player on this all-time list.
Henry’s 2,027-yard season in 2020 led to the rise of Saquon Barkley and Bijan Robinson, and made running backs valuable again.
3. Matthew Stafford
Some still question if Stafford will enter the Hall of Fame.
That’s foolish, considering that he already has an MVP and Super Bowl ring, and the 38-year-old QB with 64,516 career passing yards and 423 TDs is leading a Super Bowl contender again in 2026.
2. Travis Kelce
Paired with Patrick Mahomes and working under head coach Andy Reid, Kelce has gone from a questionable third-round pick to a future Hall of Famer.
The Big Yeti is also world famous, thanks to his marriage to Taylor Swift.
But when you have 13,002 career receiving yards and 82 TDs, making the Hall simply comes down to historic NFL talent.
1. Aaron Rodgers
The Hall of Fame rewards on-field longevity and dedication.
Rodgers defines those words in 2026, especially after he could’ve walked away from the NFL years ago.
With 10 Pro Bowls, four All Pro honors, a Super Bowl trophy and MVP, and four NFL MVPs, there’s a gold jacket and bronze bust immediately waiting for Rodgers in Canton after he throws his final pass.
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