The Pro Football Hall of Fame’s class of 2024 will officially be inducted on Aug. 3.
With less than a month until the annual event in Canton, Ohio, we’re examining which players — past and present — on the league’s 32 teams we think will one day receive a similar honor.
Here are three Pittsburgh Steelers who should eventually receive football immortality:
Wide receiver Hines Ward
Ward continues to be snubbed of his spot in the Hall of Fame and it’s because of reasons he had no control over.
The four-time Pro Bowler played all 14 seasons of his NFL career with the Steelers, who were a predominantly run-first team. Still, he was able to put up impressive numbers, finishing his career with 1,000 catches for 12,083 yards and 85 touchdowns.
He ranks 14th all-time in receptions, ahead of Hall of Famers Randy Moss (982) and Andre Reed (951), 28th all-time in receiving yards, ahead of Hall of Famers Michael Irvin (11,904) and Calvin Johnson (11,619) and 19th all-time in receiving touchdowns, ahead of Johnson (83).
Ward’s intangibles must also be considered. He was arguably one of the best, if not the best blocking receivers in NFL history while helping to deliver two Super Bowl championships (XL and XLIII) to Pittsburgh.
Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger
Roethlisberger will be eligible to earn his gold jacket in 2027 and it would not be surprising if he is a first-ballot Hall of Famer.
The six-time Pro Bowler and two-time Super Bowl champion put together an illustrious 18-year NFL career in which he passed for 64,088 yards, which ranks fifth all-time, and 418 touchdowns, ranking eighth all-time.
He also holds the NFL records for most career 500-yard passing games (four), completions in a game (47), wins in a season by a rookie quarterback (13) and games with a perfect passer rating (four).
The No. 11 overall pick in 2004 officially retired following the 2021 season and will have his bust made in due time.
Linebacker T.J. Watt
Watt also has a great shot at being a first-ballot Hall of Famer five years after he decides to hang up his cleats.
The six-time Pro Bowler and four-time first-team All-Pro has been one of the best defenders since entering the league as the No. 30 overall pick in 2017 with 401 tackles, 96.5 sacks, 27 forced fumbles, 10 fumble recoveries, seven interceptions and 46 passes defended in his seven-year career.
Watt was also named the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2021 after tying the single-season sack record (22.5) and many believe he was just snubbed of his third such award last season.
The biggest argument against Watt’s Hall of Fame case is his postseason resume. He has yet to win a playoff game, but there is plenty of time for him to change that as he is still only 29.
