While the Steelers have four former players still eligible for the 2026 Hall of Fame class in the modern era category, one remains in the senior category: former defensive end L.C. Greenwood.
The Pro Football
Hall of Fame announced Thursday that 34 “seniors” — NFL players who appeared in their last game in 2000 or earlier — have advanced to the next stage of deliberations. The list has been cut down from an original group of 162. Alongside Greenwood, names including Roger Craig, Ken Anderson, Carl Banks, and Jim Marshall still remain.
The next step will involve lowering the current 34 down to 25. Finalists will eventually be chosen from the various categories, including modern era, senior, coaches, and contributors. From that group, four to eight will be chosen as members of the 2026 NFL Hall of Fame class. The final selections do not have to include every category.
Greenwood is generally considered the best Steeler from the team’s 1970s dynasty to have not made the Hall of Fame. His career numbers include 78 sacks, six Pro Bowls, two first-team All-Pros, four Super Bowl rings, and a spot on the Hall of Fame’s own 1970s all-decade team.
Greenwood passed away in 2013. He was posthumously inducted into the Steelers’ Hall of Honor in 2017.
Former Steelers head coach Buddy Parker also remains in Hall of Fame consideration. On Tuesday, he was named one of 12 remaining candidates in the coaching category.
