There's a silver lining to former Bengals OT Willie Anderson being snubbed from the Pro Football Hall of Fame yet again
Four years has former Cincinnati Bengals right tackle Willie Anderson been a finalist for induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and four years he's been denied a gold jacket. Anderson missed this year's very exclusive cut as only three Modern Era finalists—Eric Allen, Jared Allen, and Antonio Gates—and Senior Finalist Sterling Sharpe were officially […]
Four years has former Cincinnati Bengals right tackle Willie Anderson been a finalist for induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and four years he's been denied a gold jacket. Anderson missed this year's very exclusive cut as only three Modern Era finalists—Eric Allen, Jared Allen, and Antonio Gates—and Senior Finalist Sterling Sharpe were officially announced Thursday night at NFL Honors.
It was a close call as Anderson finished in the top seven of 15 finalists. This was the closest he's ever gotten to getting the call from Canton, OH, and there's at least good news regarding his chances of getting the call next year.
Willie Anderson is guaranteed to be a Hall of Fame finalist next year
Instead of having to wait nearly a year to learn if he'll be in this spot next January, Anderson will automatically be one of the 15 finalists for the class of 2026. It will be Anderson's fifth consecutive year as a finalist.
A top-seven finish wasn't enough to secure induction into the smallest class in 20 years. It did, however, guarantee that the man regarded as the best right tackle of the turn-of-the-century NFL automatically makes next year's Modern Era finals of 15 for the fifth straight year. – Bengals.com's Geoff Hobson
Joining Anderson as automatic 2026 finalists are Torry Holt, Luke Kuechly and Adam Vinatieri. Holt has been a finalist for six consecutive years while Kuechly and Vinatieri were first-time finalists this year.
All four were on the doorstep of making the cut, which was unusually exclusive this year as the voters landed on the minimum four inductees. Anderson being in the conversation for yet another year gained him the guarantee to have his case heard in 11 months time once more.
Anderson is the most likely former Bengal to be enshrined next due to how many times he's gotten close to induction. Ken Anderson is still a name to watch as a Senior inductee, and Geno Atkins will be eligible for the first time next year as well.
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