A place in Canton has got a whole lot closer for some contenders, but they will still face a daunting road before they can take their spot in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

The Blue-Ribbon Committees make selections in the Coach, Contributor and Seniors categories, with five finalists across these categories named today [3rd December]. To gain enshrinement, the individuals must gain approval from at least 80 percent of the full selection committee at their annual meeting early next year. Each member of the committee is limited to three votes out of the five, with a maximum of three finalists able to be enshrined.

The quintet hoping to get the nod are Robert Kraft (Contributor), Bill Belichick (Coach), Ken Anderson, Roger Craig and L.C. Greenwood (Seniors).

Kraft, since buying the New England Patriots in 1994 for $172m, has seen his club reach ten Super Bowls, winning six, whilst also serving on 17 owners’ committees. Belichick was the coach for those Super Bowl wins, and owns a 333-178 coaching record in the NFL. Only George Halas has more victories as a head coach, and the prospect of Kraft and Belichick entering the Hall at the same time, given the messy ending to their time together with the Patriots, is an enticing one.

Anderson spent his entire playing career with the Cincinnati Bengals, passing for a franchise record 32,838 yards. His 197 touchdowns rank second all time behind Andy Dalton, while Anderson was named to four Pro Bowls and was NFL MVP in 1981, the season he led the Bengals to their first Super Bowl appearance.

Craig was not in opposition that day, but was a key piece of the San Francisco 49ers between 1983 and 1990, winning three Super Bowls — including another against Cincinnati — and racking up 11,506 yards from scrimmage. This included a league leading 2,036 in 1988, a performance which saw Craig named Offensive Player of the Year and finish third in MVP voting. Craig was the first running back in NFL history to total 1,000 yards rushing and receiving, achieving the feat in 1985. Only Marshall Faulk and Christian McCaffrey have matched this feat. Craig played for the Raiders and Vikings to see out his career and finished with 13,100 yards from scrimmage and 73 touchdowns.

Greenwood was part of the legendary ‘Steel Curtain’ in Pittsburgh and spent his entire career with the Steelers after they selected him in the 10th round of the 1969 draft. Greenwood played 170 games in his career, went to the Pro Bowl six times, was named All-Pro twice and won four Super Bowls. The sack did not become an official stat until 1982, but copious amounts of research in recent years has credited Greenwood with 78 quarterback takedowns, good for fourth most in Steelers history.

All these men would make worthy additions to Canton. But who will make the cut for the Class of 2026?