Fan-favorite Steelers are semifinalists for Hall of Fame, but chances are slim

The Pittsburgh Steelers have a storied history with talented players and some of the best to ever put on the pads. With 32 players in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, tied with the Dallas Cowboys for third-most in NFL history, the Steelers hope to add two busts in Canton soon.

On November 20, the Pro Football Hall of Fame announced the 25 modern-era semifinalists selected to the Hall of Fame Class of 2025. Two legendary Steelers made the list: wide receiver Hines Ward and outside linebacker James Harrison.

This is the third time Harrison has been eligible for the Hall of Fame. For Ward, this is attempt number nine. Unfortunately, the slate is getting more competitive with each passing season.

While five modern members are inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame each year, there are even more newcomers with legendary NFL careers who are entering the conversation. The first-time eligibles in 2025 include Eli Manning, Marshal Yanda, Terrell Suggs, Luke Kuechly, Earl Thomas, and Adam Vinatieri.

Steelers many not be getting a new Hall of Famer anytime soon

When you examine the list of the 25 modern-era Hall of Fame candidates, a strong case can be made for nearly every name on the list. In addition to the names mentioned above, some players didn't get in on the first ballot who are more than deserving of a bust in Canton.

Take James Harrison, for instance. The remarkable All-Pro defender, Super Bowl winner, and Defensive Player of the Year had a miraculous five-year stretch of production and dominance with the Pittsburgh Steelers. However, he didn't do much with the rest of his career. With just 84.5 career sacks and 117 games started, he simply doesn't have the production and longevity of other players on this list.

Jared Allen, on the other hand, has 136.0 career sacks with four first-team All-Pros and five Pro Bowls. Allen has more personal accolades and production but doesn't have the Super Bowl win or Defensive Player of the Year on his resume (though he did finish second in DPOY voting in 2011).

Terrell Suggs is also competing with Harrison to get into the Hall of Fame with 139.0 sacks, Defensive Rookie of the Year honors, seven Pro Bowls, and a Super Bowl win.

Hines Ward's path to the Hall of Fame is even more difficult. Ward had a long, productive NFL career all with one team that included two Super Bowl rings, but his production and personal accolades don't match that of players like Torry Holt or Reggie Wayne. The Steelers fan-favorite has one more Pro Bowl than Anquan Bolden, but Bolden is 14th on the NFL's all-time leading receivers list, while Ward is 28th.

This is just the competition between Harrison's and Ward's respective positional groups and doesn't even include the strong arguments for running back Ricky Watters, linebacker Luke Kuechly, kicker Adam Vinatieri, and all the phenomenal trench players in the modern era who haven't gotten in.

We all want to see Steelers fan favorites get inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, but this is a crowded group of 25 terrific NFL players who suited up in the modern era. We can be optimistic about Hines Ward and James Harrison hearing what their name is called this year, but it does not look promising.