ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — In their first year of eligibility, wide receiver Demaryius Thomas and cornerback Aqib Talib have been nominated for the Pro Football Hall of Fame's Class of 2025.
Thomas and Talib are among the 16 first-year candidates among the 167-player Modern-Era pool.
A screening committee will now reduce the list to 50 spots, and the results will be announced in mid-October.
Thomas, who tragically passed away in 2021, was a five-time Pro Bowler who posted five consecutive 1,000-yard seasons from 2012-16. He recorded a career high 111 catches and 1,619 yards in 2014 after setting a career best in touchdown receptions (14) the previous season. Thomas led the 2013 Broncos — still the most prolific offense in NFL history — in receptions, receiving yards and touchdown receptions. The former first-round pick also produced one of the NFL's most memorable playoff moments, catching Tim Tebow's pass on the first play of overtime against the Steelers and sprinting 80 yards for a game-winning score.
Talib, meanwhile, is also a five-time Pro Bowler and added first-team All-Pro honors in 2016. A key member of the "No-Fly Zone," Talib earned a Pro Bowl nod in each of his four seasons in Denver and recorded 11 interceptions and a staggering six defensive touchdowns during that stretch. Talib ranks fourth in NFL history in interception returns for touchdowns, and he ranks higher in the category than Hall of Famers Ken Houston, Deion Sanders, Aeneas Williams, Ronde Barber and several others. With Talib in the Broncos' defensive backfield, Denver posted the top-ranked passing defense in consecutive seasons in 2015-16.
In addition to Thomas and Talib, Ring of Famers Rod Smith, Tom Nalen and Jason Elam are also among the nominees.
The following nominees also have ties to the Broncos: Running backs Glyn Milburn, Clinton Portis and Jamaal Charles; wide receivers Brandon Marshall and Wes Welker; tight end Vernon Davis; offensive lineman Mark Schlereth; defensive linemen Neil Smith, Simeon Rice, Ted Washington and Jamal Williams; linebacker Bill Romanowski; and cornerback Dre Bly.
After the current list of nominees is reduced to 50 players, the Hall of Fame Selection Committee will reduce the list again to 25 semifinalists later in the fall. Then, another vote will be held to narrow the group to 15 finalists. Ahead of Super Bowl LVIX, the selection committee will elect the newest Modern-Era Hall of Famers.
