Cornerback Eric Allen, in his 19th year of eligibility, and defensive end Jared Allen, in his fifth year of eligibility, were named to the Hall's Class of 2025 along with tight end Antonio Gates and wide receiver Sterling Sharpe. Sharpe, whose career was cut short by a congenital neck condition, was the senior finalist selected for enshrinement.

The five years needed from retirement to eligibility will pass for these all-time great NFL players, who range from an all-time wide receiver in Arizona Cardinals legend Larry Fitzgerald to Super Bowl-winning New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees. There are some possible first-time ballot Hall of Famers on this list on both sides of the ball.

On Thursday, former Kansas City Chiefs defensive end Jared Allen was inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame as one of four members of the Class of 2025. Allen entered the NFL as a fourth-round pick of the Chiefs in the 2004 NFL draft after a productive