Will Russell Wilson Make the Hall of Fame?

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As the career of any great player winds down, the Hall of Fame conversation always arises. Some players have cemented themselves as first-ballot inductees. Legends like Tom Brady and Aaron Donald already have their spots reserved in Canton. For others, the line is not so clear. Russell Wilson has enjoyed a long and storied career. The former Wisconsin quarterback fell to the third round of the 2012 NFL Draft due to concerns about his size. It’s safe to say he’s proved those doubters wrong. Wilson is a Super Bowl champion, a Seahawks legend, and one of the best quarterbacks of the last decade. But has he done enough to earn that gold jacket?

Recent Hall of Fame Quarterback Inductees

Before we determine whether Wilson has earned a spot in Canton, we first need to compare him to the quarterbacks that have recently been inducted. The five most recent quarterback inductees vary in statistics and accolades. Some were first-ballot Hall of Famers, while others had to wait their turn.

Peyton Manning

• 71,940 passing yards
• 539 passing touchdowns
• 2 Super Bowl victories
• 5 MVP awards
• 14 Pro Bowls

Kurt Warner

• 32,000 passing yards
• 208 touchdowns
• 1 Super Bowl victory
• 2 MVP awards
• 4 Pro Bowls

Brett Favre

• 71,838 passing yards
• 508 touchdowns
• 1 Super Bowl victory
• 3 MVP awards
• 11 Pro Bowls

Ken Stabler

• 27,938 passing yards
• 194 touchdowns
• 1 Super Bowl victory
• 1 MVP award
• 4 Pro Bowls

Warren Moon

• 49,325 passing yards
• 291 touchdowns
• 0 Super Bowl victories
• 0 MVP awards
• 9 Pro Bowls

How Does Russell Wilson Stack Up?

Russell Wilson

• 44,865 passing yards
• 341 touchdowns
• 1 Super Bowl victory
• 0 MVP awards
• 9 Pro Bowls

Wilson’s story certainly helps his Hall of Fame case. Everyone, including Hall of Fame voters, loves a good underdog story. Wilson has made a career of proving doubters wrong. His stats line up with many of the recent inductees at the position. Given a couple more years, he could reach 50,000 passing yards and double-digit Pro Bowls. He has a Super Bowl ring and another Super Bowl appearance. However, he’s never been the best player in the league at his position. You can make the argument that he’s rarely been in the top five. He’s never finished in the top three in MVP voting. The four most recent inductees at quarterback each have at least one MVP award. Russell Wilson likely isn’t a first-ballot Hall of Famer. He may never wear that golden jacket, but if he does, he’ll likely have to wait.

What Does Russell Wilson Need to do to Secure his Spot in the Hall of Fame?

Of course, it’s too early to make a definitive call on whether Wilson will land in Canton. He’s in the middle of a successful season in Pittsburgh. Taking the Steelers to the playoffs after being cast out by Denver would add significantly to the underdog value of Wilson’s story. Most fans and experts didn’t even expect Wilson to start over Justin Fields after the first few weeks of the season. Since Russ took over, Pittsburgh is 5-1 with a couple of huge wins over divisional opponents. The Steelers, at their best, are good enough to contend for a championship. If Wilson leads this team to a Super Bowl win, his Hall of Fame status will be sealed. Even if Pittsburgh manages a playoff win or two, it will significantly help his case. Whether Russell Wilson lands in the Hall of Fame or not, his NFL career is well worth remembering.