Three Broncos players who merit induction into the Hall of Fame following Randy Gradishar’s removal from consideration.
Now that Randy Gradishar has rightfully earned his place in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, I can step down from that soapbox. However, with one deserving player recognized, attention naturally turns to others, right?
Gradishar was undoubtedly the most deserving former Broncos player not already enshrined in the Hall of Fame, a list that has notably shortened with recent inductions like Steve Atwater and Terrell Davis.
While the list of those who should not be excluded is shrinking, there are still Broncos alumni who merit recognition in Canton, ideally while they can appreciate the honor.
I’ve narrowed down this list to three individuals. These former Broncos should join the esteemed ranks sooner rather than later.
Mike Shanahan stands out as the premier coach in Broncos history by a significant margin, and his coaching prowess extends to being one of the best in NFL history. While some may advocate for former head coach Dan Reeves – who may indeed find his way in eventually – Shanahan’s accomplishments make him more deserving and deserving of priority.
Shanahan’s tenure saw him secure back-to-back Super Bowls in Denver in 1997 and 1998, showcasing not only his success but also his exceptional offensive strategies. He currently shares 14th place on the all-time wins list for coaches with 170 victories. Among those ahead of him, six are already Hall of Famers, including luminaries like Bill Belichick and Andy Reid.
Among his peers sharing 170 wins are Tom Coughlin and Pete Carroll, both of whom have strong cases for eventual induction. Shanahan’s achievements rival any of these coaches not named Belichick or Reid. The Broncos fittingly added him to their Ring of Fame in 2021, signaling that it’s time for him to take his place among the greats in Canton.
