Ravens legends Terrell Suggs and Marshal Yanda deserve to be in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, but it didn't happen this year.
For a second straight year, Suggs and Yanda reached the final round of 15 modern-era finalists but are not among the five members of the Class of 2026, which was announced Thursday night at NFL Honors.
Those who made it this year are quarterback Drew Brees, wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald, kicker Adam Vinatieri, running back Roger Craig, and linebacker Luke Kuechly.
The fact that Suggs and Yanda have been finalists in their first two years of eligibility is still a positive sign that they will eventually wear a gold jacket. Both players have a strong case.
According to Darin Gantt of panthers.com, Suggs and Yanda, as well as former Ravens offensive tackle Willie Anderson (2008), were all part of the final seven modern-era members, meaning they will automatically be finalists for the Class of 2027. They reportedly got more votes than Eli Manning, Torry Holt, Reggie Wayne, Frank Gore, Charles Woodson, Jason Witten, and others.
Suggs is eighth on the all-time sacks list with 139 over his 17 seasons (2003-2019). All seven players in front of him are in the Hall of Fame, and so are eight players behind him.
Suggs won two Super Bowls: one with the Ravens in 2012 and another with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2019.
He was the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2011, when he dominated with a career-high 14 sacks and seven forced fumbles. He was the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2003, when he exploded out of the gates with 12 sacks.
Suggs was a seven-time Pro Bowler, but a first-team All-Pro only once (2011) and was not part of the 2000s or 2010s All-Decade teams. Suggs played during a golden era of other outstanding defensive ends and outside linebackers. Other premier pass rushers have had to wait their turn to enter the Hall of Fame.
A third-round pick in 2007, Yanda settled in as a full-time starting right guard in his fifth season. He went to the Pro Bowl eight of the next nine seasons (every year he was healthy) and was still one of the league's best offensive linemen when he retired following the 2019 campaign.
Yanda was a two-time first-team All-Pro (2014 & 2015) and five-time second-teamer. He was named to the NFL 2010s All-Decade Team. Yanda helped lead the Ravens to a Super Bowl victory in 2012 and Baltimore was the only place he played.
Interior offensive lineman have also often had to wait their turn to gain enshrinement into Canton. Steve Hutchinson was inducted into the Hall in 2020, on his third try, and he went to one fewer Pro Bowl. Will Shields, who went to 12 Pro Bowls, went in on his fourth try after being a finalist for three straight years. Another finalist, Jahri Evans, is still awaiting his spot in Canton.
