What is the Fate of Three Steelers Legends Who Are Candidates for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2027?
On February 5th, the NFL announced its list of first-year eligible players for the 2027 Pro Football Hall of Fame Class. This class includes legendary players such as Rob Gronkowski, Adrian Peterson, Richard Sherman, Eric Weddle, Cam Newton, and Andrew Whitworth. This class also includes the former Steelers offensive unit known as the 'Killer B's', consisting of QB Ben Roethlisberger, WR Antonio Brown, and RB Le'Veon Bell. Between 2013 and 2017, the 'Killer B's' were regarded as one of the best offenses in football. Roethlisberger made four straight Pro Bowls from 2014-2017, leading the league in passing yards in 2014, and again in 2018 when Bell sat out due to contract disputes. Brown made six straight Pro Bowls from 2013-2018, and led the league in receptions twice, receiving yards twice, and touchdown receptions once. Bell made the Pro Bowl in 2014 and then again in 2016-2017, eclipsing 1,850 total scrimmage yards in all three seasons.
Through Ben Roethlisberger's 18-year career, he amassed 64,088 passing yards, 418 passing touchdowns, 211 interceptions, 5,440 passes completed on 8,443 attempts, and 41 fourth-quarter comebacks. Roethlisberger is in the top ten for every statistical category besides interceptions, where he is 24th. His 41 fourth-quarter comebacks are good for the third most all-time. He also holds the record for most wins in a season by a rookie QB with 13, most games with 500+ passing yards with four, tied for most games with a perfect passing rating with four, most completions in a regular season or playoff game with 47, and most touchdown passes in consecutive games with 12. Roethlisberger is first in every statistical category for a QB in the Steelers franchise history. Ben was also the 2004 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year and has won two Super Bowls in three appearances. With 18 years under his belt, a resume like this, and being inducted into the Steelers Hall of Honor, Roethlisberger should be a lock for the Hall of Fame, but is deemed as just "Probable" by CBS Sports' Bryan DeArdo.
When it comes to Antonio Brown and Le'Veon Bell, the question of whether they should make the Hall of Fame's 2027 class gets harder. The stats don't lie; they were both incredible players who helped lead a top Pittsburgh offense to the playoffs many times, being just one game short of facing the Atlanta Falcons in Super Bowl LI. However, the attitudes and off-field antics don't lie and cannot be hidden. Bell sat out the 2018 season due to contract disputes with Pittsburgh. After one solid year with the New York Jets, he faded out until his eventual retirement in 2021. Brown left the Steelers after the 2018 season due to frustration with the organization and strained relationships. He was also looking for a new contract. Brown's career would end with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2021 when he left the team in the middle of a game, jogging off the field after removing his shoulder pads. All of this came after he was released by the Raiders before playing a single snap for them, and by the Patriots after playing just one game for them. Unfortunate ends to their careers, mixed with many off-field issues, lead Bryan DeArdo to believe Brown "has a good case, but likely won't make it" and that Bell "is a long shot."
