The Pro Football Hall of Fame has announced 173 modern-era nominees for its 2024 class. A total of 15 of those nominees are former members of the Kansas City Chiefs, including one player who is in his first year of Hall of Fame eligibility. The entire roster of nominees consists of 94 players on offense, 62 on defense, and 17 on special teams.

With nominees now announced, the next step is for the selection committee to trim the list down to 25 semifinalists, who will be announced by the Hall of Fame in November. The committee will then convene again after that and select up to 15 modern-era finalists in January.

A total of nineteen finalists, which includes senior, contributor, and coaching finalists, will be presented to the Selection Committee during its annual meeting ahead of Super Bowl LVIII. There they'll reduce the modern-era list to a maximum of five players who will be selected for enshrinement in the Pro Football Hall of Fame class of 2024. 

Below you'll find a look at each of the Chiefs' nominees:

RB Jamaal Charles

(2008-2016)

This is Charles' first year eligible for enshrinement into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Charles had 1400 carries for over 7,500 yards and 44 rushing touchdowns in his NFL career. He earned four Pro Bowl selections and two First-Team All-Pro selections and he was the NFL's rushing touchdown leader in 2013. His 5.4 rushing yards per attempt, average is still good for the most in NFL history by a modern-era running back.

RB Priest Holmes

(2001-2007)

Holmes had one of the most dominant three-year stretches in NFL history, earning three Pro Bowl selections and three First-Team All-Pro selections from 2001-2003. He was once the NFL rushing leader and twice the NFL rushing touchdown leader during that span. Holmes was also nominated for the HOF in 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023.

RB Thomas Jones

(2010-2011)
Jones played 11 seasons in the NFL, amassing over 10,000 rushing yards and 68 touchdowns in his career. He finished up his career in Kansas City, but he's short on career accolades with only one Pro Bowl selection in 2008. 

FB Tony Richardson

(1995-2005)

Known as one of the best fullbacks in the history of the NFL, Richardson racked up plenty of accolades during his NFL career. He was a three-time Pro Bowler and a two-time Second-Team All-Pro selection. In 2010 he won the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award. He was also selected to the 2000s All-Decade Team. He was also inducted into the Chiefs Hall of Fame back in 2016. 

QB Rich Gannon

(1995-1998) 

Gannon was the backup to both Steve Bono and Elvis Grbac during his tenure in Kansas City. He was part of one of the most significant QB controversies in franchise history. During his pro career, he was selected twice as a First-Team All-Pro and went to four Pro Bowls. In 2002 with the Raiders, he was named MVP after leading the league in passing yards. 

WR Dante Hall

(2000-2006)

Known as the "Human Joystick" and "X-Factor" for his dynamic plays on offense and special teams, Hall was one of the league's most exciting players during the 2000s decade. He earned two Pro Bowl selections, a First-Team All-Pro nod, and was the NFL's kick return yards leader in 2004. He landed on the 2000s All-Decade team as a return specialist.

WR Andre Rison

(1997-1999)

Rison caught 72 passes for 1,092 yards and seven touchdowns in his first year with the Chiefs, helping the team to a 13-3 record and an AFC West division title. Over the following two seasons, Rison totaled just 61 catches for 760 yards and five touchdowns with the Chiefs. Rison won Super Bowl XXXI and was a four-time All-Pro and five-time Pro Bowl selection. He also led the NFL in receiving touchdowns in 1993 with Atlanta.

WR Joe Horn

(1996-1999)

A former fifth-round draft pick by the Chiefs, Horn spent four seasons in Kansas City. He recorded 53 catches for 879 yards and seven touchdowns, mainly playing on special teams during his tenure with the team. He’d go on to play for the Saints for six seasons, where he earned four Pro Bowl selections, including three consecutive selections from 2000-2002.

OG Brian Waters

(2000-2010)

Waters was moved to offensive guard from defensive tackle when he joined the Chiefs and it was the right move. He played a whopping 163 games for Kansas City, earning five Pro Bowl selections during his 11 seasons. In 2009, Waters became the Chiefs’ fifth member of the franchise to win the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award. Waters earned two First-Team All-Pro selections and was a six-time Pro Bowler. He was put in the Chiefs Ring of Honor back in 2020. This marks his fifth time nominated for Hall of Fame enshrinement.

C Dave Szott

(1990-2000) 

Szott was a former seventh-round draft pick out of Penn State. He was a one-time First-Team in 1997 despite being an anchor on the Chiefs' offensive line for a decade. 

LB Donnie Edwards

(1996-2001 & 2007-2008)

A two-time Second-Team All-Pro and one-time Pro Bowler, Edwards was a former fourth-round pick out of UCLA. He finished his NFL career with nearly 1,500 tackles, 23.5 sacks, 28 interceptions, and 10 forced fumbles. 

LB Mike Vrabel

(2009-2010) 

Vrabel finished up his playing career in Kansas City after being traded from the New England Patriots alongside Matt Cassel. He started 30 games for the Chiefs. He's a three-time Super Bowl champion, one-time First-Team All-Pro and one-time Pro Bowler. He also earned NFL Coach of the Year honors in 2021 with the Tennessee Titans.

DE Neil Smith

(1988-1996)

The Chiefs traded up to draft Smith with the No. 2 overall pick out of Nebraska in 1988. He was selected to the 1990s All-Decade team after dominating the NFL shortly after his arrival. In 1993 he was the league sack leader with 15. In 1994, his five forced fumbles were the most by any player in the NFL. He earned Pro Bowl honors in five consecutive seasons from 1991 through 1995 and ranks third all-time in Chiefs history with 86.5 sacks, behind only Derrick Thomas and Tamba Hali. He was also nominated for Hall of Fame enshrinement in each of the last four seasons, but has never made it to the finalist round.

DE Jared Allen

(2004-2007)

A fourth-round draft pick by the Chiefs in 2004 out of Idaho State, Allen was one of the most dominant pass-rushers of his time. He was a four-time First-Team All-Pro and a five-time Pro Bowler. In 2007 and 2011, Allen led the NFL in sacks with 15.5 and 22, respectively. In 2008, Allen was traded to the Vikings for a haul of draft picks, including the one that was used to draft running back Jamaal Charles. Allen was a finalist for enshrinement in each of the last three seasons. 

DE Leslie O'Neal

(1998-1999)

O’Neal played with the Chiefs in his final two seasons in the NFL, recording just 10 sacks during that span. O’Neal was first nominated for the 2020 centennial class and has been a nominee in each of the last four seasons. In 1986 he was named NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year with the Chargers. He earned six Pro Bowl selections and three Second-Team All-Pro nods during his career.

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Featured image via Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports