The Chicago Bears are fortunate to have many Hall of Famers walk through Halas Hall.
In fact, the Bears hold the record for most Hall of Famers at 41, per Athlon Sports. With that being said, Bears legend Brandon Marshall might have to wait to get voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Brandon Marshall might have a tough time getting into the Hall of Fame
For starters, when you break down Marshall's impressive resume, he most definitely has an argument. A six-time Pro Bowler, Marshall holds the record for most receptions in a game with 21.
Marshall was also a top-10 wideout in the NFL for much of the late 2000s and early 2010s and had the prototypical build for a number-one wide receiver. He was the type of wide receiver who quickly grew accustomed to a large volume of targets and could break off for a touchdown on any play.
Perhaps his best years in the NFL were spent alongside Bears quarterback Jay Cutler. The Cutler-Marshall connection began in the mountains of Denver, Colorado, and the dynamic duo would reunite in the Windy City after the Bears traded for Marshall in 2012. Despite not playing on the same team for years, it was as if the two didn't skip a beat on the gridiron.
During the Cutler-Marshall era (2012-2014), Marshall hauled in 279 receptions for 3,524 yards and 31 touchdowns. Marshall also piled on the awards, winning two Pro Bowl nods and even being named to his only first-team All-Pro appearance. Make no mistake, this was Marshall in his prime. While the Bears did not make the postseason during these middling years of the franchise's history, Marshall was most definitely a bright spot on the team.
Even though Marshall's golden years with the Bears and other accolades make an honorable case for the Hall of Fame, the harsh reality is a lot more sobering. Yes, he has enjoyed several great seasons, but he's not in the top 15 for receptions, receiving yards, or receiving touchdowns. With that being said, he is only in the top 10 in one category, and that is receptions, finishing his career with 970 receptions.
There are also a lot of wide receivers waiting to be voted into the Hall of Fame. Reggie Wayne, Anquan Boldin, Torry Holt, and Steve Smith Sr. are all waiting for a spot in Canton, Ohio. Each of these legends has better stats than Marshall—including the playoffs—and won the Super Bowl, except for Smith Sr., who lost to the New England Patriots dynasty in the big game.
When it comes to voting in Marshall or Wayne, Boldin, Smith, and Holt, the voters are almost always going to choose the latter every single time. Those are some great names to be associated with, but when it comes to Hall of Fame enshrinement, Marshall will have to wait his turn in order to get in.
Similarly, there are several active players who will give Marshall a run for his money when voters decide to elect a wide receiver into the Hall of Fame. A few names include Tyreek Hill, Mike Evans, and Davante Adams.
Wide receiver really is the hardest position to get into the Hall of Fame. The number of wide receivers waiting to get into the Hall of Fame is like the line to get into a popular nightclub on a Saturday night. There's no denying Marshall has a solid argument for getting voted into the Hall of Fame, but the tragic truth is that he will have to wait.
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Even if Canton, Ohio, doesn't call for Marshall, there's no doubt this Bears legend can be content with being in the Hall of Very Good... for now.
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