Two Former Patriots Among Pro Football Hall of Fame Finalists

The Pro Football Fame announced the Modern Era finalists for the Class of 2025 on Saturday. The 15 players have all been retired for at least five seasons. Five members of the group are eligible for induction for the first time this season. Two former Patriots were among those honored by inclusion.

Fred Taylor and Adam Vinatieri are New England’s representatives among this year’s finalists. Taylor is a finalist for the second straight year. Vinatieri is among the first-year eligible players. Four players joined Vinatieri as first-year eligible finalists: QB Eli Manning, OL Marshal Yanda, DE Terell Suggs, and LB Luke Kuechly.

Only WR Steve Smith Sr. is a first-time finalist among the other candidates. Smith is one of three wide receivers in this year’s group, alongside Torry Holt and Reggie Wayne. The rest of the finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2025 consist of TE Antonio Gates, OT Willie Anderson, OG Jahri Evans, DE Jared Allen, CB Eric Allen, and S Darren Woodson.

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Fred Taylor

Taylor played most of his career with the Jacksonville Jaguars (1998-2008) before playing his final two seasons with the Patriots. Fred Taylor retired with 11,605 yards and 66 rushing touchdowns. No player eligible for the Hall of Fame has more career rushing yards than Taylor without being inducted.

Fred Taylor only made one Pro Bowl during his career despite his years of excellence. He amassed seven seasons with over 1,000 yards rushing. Taylor added 290 receptions, 2,384 yards receiving, and eight receiving touchdowns. The one thing Taylor was not able to accomplish was playing in a Super Bowl, despite helping the Jaguars to the AFC Championship Game in his second season.

Adam Vinatieri

The NFL’s all-time leading scorer is widely considered the greatest kicker in league history.  He played ten seasons for the New England Patriots, helping them with the 1996 AFC Championship as a rookie. Vinatieri won three Super Bowls with New England, including game-winning field goals in two of them. He went on to spend 14 seasons with the Indianapolis Colts, playing in two more Super Bowls and winning a fourth.

Vinatieri was a three-time Pro Bowl selection and three-time first-team All-Pro. He retired as the NFL’s all-time leader in field goals (599) and points scored (2,673). Vinatieri was one of two kickers chosen for the NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team in 2019.

Cut From Contention

Among the ten Pro Football Hall of Fame semifinalists who did not advance to the finals were New England Patriots legends Vince Wilfork and Rodney Harrison. The Patriots teams that won three Super Bowls in four seasons from 2001 to 2004 remain represented by only two players in Canton, Ty Law, and Richard Seymour.

Vince Wilfork played the first 11 of his 13 NFL seasons with the Patriots before joining the Houston Texans for the final two. He helped the Patriots win Super Bowl 39 as a rookie and would add a second Super Bowl ring ten years later. Wilfork started on the 16-0 AFC Championship team in 2007. He made five Pro Bowls and earned first-team All-Pro honors in 2012. He was named a second-team All-Pro three times.

Rodney Harrison is arguably the most surprising omission from this year’s finalists. He is the lone finalist from the Class of 2024 who was still on the ballot but didn’t advance to the finals this year. Harrison played nine seasons with the San Diego Chargers (1994-2002), helping them win the 1994 AFC Championship. He made two Pro Bowls and was a 1998 All-Pro in San Diego.

Harrison played his final six seasons in New England, helping the 2003 and 2004 teams win back-to-back Super Bowls. Harrison had six interceptions in six postseason games during those title runs. He earned All-Pro honors in 2004 and was the starting safety on that 16-0 team in 2007. Along with Pro Football Hall of Fame linebacker Ray Lewis, Rodney Harrison is one of only two players to record at least 30 sacks and 30 interceptions during their NFL careers.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2025 will be announced at the NFL Honors ceremony on Feb. 6, 2025.