HOF announcement gives Jaguars fans a reason for optimisim amid dreadful season

Fans of the Jacksonville Jaguars haven't had many reasons to smile in 2024. Sure, renovations for EverBank Stadium were approved, but does it matter? The Jags are 2-9 following the humiliation against the Chicago Bears, and it doesn't look like they're planning to dismiss Doug Pederson or Trent Baalke any time soon. On the bright side, legendary running back Fred Taylor once again has a chance to get inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

The HOF announced their list of semifinalists for its 2026 class and Taylor made the cut. This is the sixth time he's reached this stage of the process. Surprisingly, former Jaguars head coach Tom Coughlin was snubbed from the list.

Coughlin was a trendy pick to make an appearance after being inducted in the Pride of the Jaguars, the team's Ring of Honor. However, his case wasn't seemingly strong enough to make the list of 25 semifinalists.

Apart from Taylor, no other Jaguar made the list. Then again, wide receiver Jimmy Smith would've been the only one who could've garnered realistic consideration apart from Coughlin.

Granted, wide receiver Torry Holt also popped up, but he only spent one season in Jacksonville and doesn't often come to mind when discussing the most prominent players in franchise history. Here are other players who made the list.

• Eric Allen, cornerback, Eagles, Saints, Raiders
• Jared Allen, defensive end, Chiefs, Vikings, Bears, Panthers
• Willie Anderson, offensive tackle, Bengals, Ravens
• Anquan Boldin, wide receiver, Cardinals, Ravens, 49ers, lions
•Jahri Evans, offensive guard, Saints, Packers
• Antonio Gates, tight end, Chargers
• James Harrison, Steelers, Bengals, Patriots
• Rodney Harrison, safety, Chargers, Patriots
• Luke Kuechly, linebacker Carolina Panthers
• Eli Manning, quarterback, Giants
• Robert Mathis, defensive end Colts
• Steve Smith Sr., wide receiver, Carolina Panthers
• Terrell Suggs, linebacker, Ravens, Cardinals, Chiefs
• Earl Thomas, linebacker, Seahawks, Ravens
• Adam Vinatieri, kicker, Patriots, Colts
• Hines Ward, receiver, Steelers
• Ricky Watters, running back, Seahawks, Eagles, 49ers
• Reggie Wayne, wide receiver, Colts
• Richmond Webb, tackle, Dolphins, Bengals
• Vince Wilfork, defensive tackle Patriots, Texans
• Steve Wisniewski, offensive guard, Raiders
• Darren Woodson, safety, Cowboys
• Marshal Yanda, offensive guard, Ravens

Fred Taylor once again has a favorable chance to represent the Jaguars in the HOF

Fred Taylor made it all the way to the 2024 list of finalists for the Hall of Fame and it's easy to see why. He certainly has the resume, registering 2,481 carries for 11,271 yards with 62 touchdowns during his stint with the Black and Teal. He also spent two seasons with the New England Patriots before hanging up his cleats but wasn't nearly as productive.

Once voting for the 2024 HOF class took place, there wasn't much interest in Taylor's case to be inducted, though. The fact that he only made one Pro Bowl during his career might've hurt him. Something similar could happen again. Working in his favor is that he and Ricky Watters are the only running backs to make the list, so they won't experience a logjam at the position, which will, in turn, boost their potential chances.

For his part, Fred Taylor reacted to the announcement by posting the tweet below.

At this point, it's hard to tell if this is the year Fred Taylor will at last get inducted. That said, seeing him get consideration is a ray of light in what's been otherwise been a dreadful season for Jaguars fans.

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