Demaryius Thomas and Aqib Talib could soon be in the Professional Football Hall of Fame.
Both former Denver Broncos stars were added to the 167-member pool of nominees for the Hall of Fame.
Could Thomas and Talib make the Hall, and if so, when?
Demaryius Thomas, Aqib Talib are Hall of Fame nominees
For 8-plus seasons, Thomas was a nearly unguardable receiver for the Broncos. He enjoyed five straight years (2012-2016) of being named to the Pro Bowl, and was the No. 1 receiver on two Super Bowl teams.
During that same time period, DT put together five straight 1,000-yard receiving seasons, with a career-high 1,619 yards in 2014. Thomas was a touchdown machine with Peyton Manning as his quarterback. He scored 35 times from 2012-2014, including a career-high 14 touchdowns in 2014.
Not only was DT great in the regular season, but he was special in the playoffs, too. His career-high 204-yard game came in the iconic Wildcard win over the Pittsburgh Steelers in Jan. 2012.
The 80-yard touchdown catch is one of the most acclaimed plays in Denver Broncos history.
When Demaryius Thomas’ hit an 80-yard walk-off touchdown in OT to beat the Steelers in the playoffs. pic.twitter.com/dtKcVPT87N
— Football’s Greatest Moments (@FBGreatMoments) September 11, 2024
Thomas is second in career touchdowns (60), yards (9,055), and third in receptions (665) in Denver Broncos history. DT sadly passed away in 2021 due to complications from a seizure disorder.
Talib played for four teams during his 12-year career, including four seasons with the Broncos. He was named to the Pro Bowl every year he played in the Mile High City, and was named All-Pro in 2017.
Talib was a hard-nosed, exceptional defensive back as part of the “No Fly Zone.” Denver’s defense led them to their Super Bowl 50 victory, and Talib was a key piece to that unit. His 10 pick-6 touchdowns are fourth-most in NFL history.
Thomas and Talib joined by many former Broncos hoping to make it into Hall of Fame
Will Thomas and Talib make the Hall of Fame? That remains to be seen.
Both were great players for Denver, but it seems a bit of a stretch that either will get in. For instance, Rod Smith–the team’s leader in yards, receptions, and touchdowns–is still not in the Hall.
But Smith is among the nominees. As is Tom Nalen, and Jason Elam, and all three are in the Broncos Ring of Fame.
Many other former Broncos are on the 167-member list including: Mark Schlereth, Clinton Portis, wide receiver Brandon Marshall, Wes Welker, Neil Smith, and Bill Romanowski, among others.
There are currently 16 former Broncos in the Hall of Fame, including former owner Pat Bowlen.
Each year, the nominees get whittled down to 25 semifinalists, then down to 15, and 10 players before the class of four-eight players is announced.