**EDIT: This article was originally posted on October 24, 2022. Given the news that Jason Kelce is retiring, we thought it relevant to push back to the top of the page.**
In the interest of keeping some Hall of Fame discussion ongoing and fresh, hopefully I’ll be a bit more proactive about posing these questions when I see/hear them out in the wild. I came across this one over the weekend when working on another football related project:
Is Jason Kelce a Hall of Famer?
— Mark Kaboly (@MarkKaboly) October 22, 2022
To be honest, another player I wouldn’t even have thought to ask the question about–obviously I know who he is, and I knew he was decent, but I was surprised when I looked up his profile on Pro-Football-Reference.com to see that he is a four-time First-Team AP All-Pro, and five-time Pro Bowler (interesting as well that two of his All-Pro seasons were not Pro Bowl seasons). He’s playing in his 12th season, and has started/played in every game in nine of those seasons, including the last seven seasons.
Responses were (unsurprisingly) mixed:
Overrated imo
— Steelers Morty (@verynicegent) October 22, 2022
Nothing against Kelce.
Just saying in genera.
HOF is so watered down. Any good player gets in even if he had only 2 good years it appears.
IMO generational only gets in unless player is part of a dominate SB winning team.— TonyMarze (@MarzeTony) October 22, 2022
Yes, the best center of the generation. Pro Bowls, SB, All Pros he got it all and he still going, and still productive.
— S c o t t y (@Scotty2Hottie__) October 22, 2022
First ballot, and I have no Philly love at all.
— Russ Prentice (@Russ1Prentice) October 22, 2022
If the number of o-lineman in the HOF was proportional to other positions than he would be but there are a lot of OL not in the HOF that should be. Tom Nalen won 2 SBs as the lynchpin of an OL that changed the sport and was the original undersized center. He needs to go in first.
— Kai Ole (@OlsonKai) October 23, 2022
For multiple reasons, he’s one of the best centers and is now host of a fantastic podcast. Great dude as well. I’d go as far as to say he should be a first ballot HOFer
— Josh (@Ryiszz) October 22, 2022
Sure why not, it’s turned into the “hall of very good” anyways
— Tom Martini (@Martinisns2) October 22, 2022
I think we can all agree that those saying he’s a first-ballot hall of famer don’t pay much attention to the voting trends/process–Jim Langer (1987) and Jim Otto (1980) are the only two first-ballot Hall of Fame centers at this point, and it’s unlikely we’ll see another unless they put up a profile that truly dominates the position. Center is an often overlooked position as it is, with only seven players listed as Centers on the Hall of Fame website (with four more listed under the ‘U’ section rather than OL)–and only two that played this century (if you consider Dermontti Dawson retiring after 2000 being this century; Kevin Mawae is the other).
But has he done enough that he’s already a lock for the Hall of Fame, given the lack of attention shown to Centers? Does he have to wait for guys like Tom Nalen or Olin Kruetz to finally get some attention first? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
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Centers have a real hard time getting into PFHOF -there are only 8 modern era centers in Hall – from his era the top centers on the 2010s (Alex Mack, Maurkice Pouncey) and 2020s all decade teams (TBD) have the easiest path, unfortunately I don’t see one for him at this stage but if he continues to play at high (was all pro in 2021) he could improve chances.
Your right about that Paul, look at how long it took for 5/6 Mick Tingelhoff to make the HOF. And I could be wrong but I don’t think Jay Hilgenberg has gotten a sniff from the voters.
I know one Kelce who’s a shoe in for the HOF. lol The jury is still out on Jason Kelce. I agree if he finishes strong there could be brothers in the HOF one day.
Kelce may get in but other centers need to go in first but who knows ? If Nalen or Hilgenberg have to wait this long, so should newer ones. Kruenz and Stepnoski were outstanding as well and Macek was the most underrated center in NFL history but didnt have a chance with Langer, Webster and Stephenson dominating the accolades …
Jason Kelce is going into the HOF some day, but probably not right away. More than likely a Dermontti Dawson type wait, unless he wins a couple more Super Bowls or does something crazy like plays for 8 more years and is ALL-Pro a few more times.
Maybe Kelce would be helped if he ever had a great RB run behind his line? I really haven’t paid attention to him.
Kelce is now a 5-time 1st team All Pro with AP. Every center with at least four has been elected. I say he gets in after about 8-10 years on the ballot.
BoKnows34 is right but I believe the wait will be sooner. It helps to have an All-Pro brother but it hasnt helped the Barber twins, though Ronde will get in shortly I believe …
I know who Kelce is now. Yes he’s great. Maybe a high profile SB performance thrusts him into the American consciousness even more.
he is certainly building his PFHOF resume, but boy centers have a very hard time getting into the Hall, seems like its one a generation/era-at 35 if he can continue to play at a high level, securing a 2020s all decade team would give him big boost, 10 modern era centers are in Hall and most are on all decade team
odd as it may seem given the position-but SB will likely strengthen his case YET voters are very selective on centers, since 1997 there have been only five modern candidate centers elected (including Bruce Matthews who also played OG and OT), all five have multiple first team all pro plus all decade teams and three are on the NFL 100th anniversary team-unlikely Kelce will be seen at that level.
Alex Mack 0/3 (7) and Maurkice Pouncey 3(2)/9 are on 2010s all decade team and hard to say how voters view those two, but both are likely in for a long wait. Kelce now has 5/6 SB and could add 2nd SB which makes for a strong resume, but given how voters tend to view centers he still is looking at several years on ballot. But I would say his resume is looking better as time goes on.
He also has a much higher public profile than most players at his position. There will be a lot of publicity and spotlight with his famous brother building up to the Super Bowl. Yes. there will be a wait but I’m sure he gets in now.
John Turney suggests Jason Kelce will be 1st ballot which is very possible-I just look at how voters have viewed the center position (and there are only 8 in PFHOF) and wonder if he waits a few years…
I’m thinking the same way you are paul I’m thinking it takes 3-5; years
He’s the first potential HOFer among the 2029 first-time eligibles.
Julio Jones is another potential retiree and 2029 eligible.
list of members for the class of 2029 ballot (including potential none yet confirmed retired post 2023 season) could be:
2029- WR Julio Jones (ATL)?, C Jason Kelce (PHI), OT Jason Peters (PHIL)? CB Patrick Peterson (ARZ)??, LB Von Miller (DEN)?? DE Calais Campbell (ARZ) ???, OT David Bakhtiari (GB)
-? ?? mean not yet announced retirements
Of all these the most likely first ballot in 2029 would be Julio Jones
Not even sure on Julio–seems like so few WR end up being first ballot guys…and his numbers are great, but they’re not exactly eye popping great. 66 career TDs, #16 for Yards, #24 for catches…
I think Kelce will play again next year and wouldnt be first ballot anyway …
Could both brothers retire if Travis and the Chiefs lose at Buffalo? I doubt it though.
Jones will make the HOF but I dont believe first ballot, Von Miller I believe will be voted in before Jason Kelce …
I think Peterson will try to continue to play at safety …
Travis has already indicated intent to return next season…Jason has publicly (and apparently to his teammates) indicated retirement is very likely… ….especially if he is in a class with no other strong 1st ballot, Julio Jones has a decent shot at 1st ballot.