Five former Ravens land among 2026 Pro Football Hall of Fame semifinalists

Thanksgiving has come early. As a holiday game approaches, attention shifts to a game vs. a divisional rival (and some Turducken). The Baltimore Ravens fix their gaze on the Cincinnati Bengals and possibly their sixth straight win.

For that, we're thankful. We're also pumped about the 2026 Pro Football Hall of Fame class. Five former Ravens are now semifinalists.

Some spent more time in the organization than others. Still, either way, it seemed right to give them all a mention.

Earl Thomas (2019)

They say 'once a Raider, always a Raider'. There really isn't a Ravens comp, but Earl Thomas spent his 2019 (and final) season with The Flock. That gets him the tip of the cap from us.

Steve Smith Sr. (2014 - 2016)

Steve Smith Sr. spent most of his career enduring average-to-poor quarterback play, yet somehow he lands on this list and deserves to be here. Most will talk about what he did with the Carolina Panthers, but he spent three memorable years with the Ravens. During his three-year stint in Baltimore, Smith had 195 catches, 2,534 yards, and 14 touchdowns. Overall, Smith finished his career with 1031 catches on 1335 targets, for 14,731 yards (14.3 avg) and 81 touchdowns.

Marshall Yanda (2007 - 2019)

A Super Bowl Champion and an eight-time Pro Bowler (2011–2016, 2018–2019), Marshall Yanda earned two First-Team All-Pro honors and five Second-Team All-Pro nods. He's also a member of the NFL 2010s All-Decade Team and the Ravens Ring of Honor.

Terrell Suggs (2003 - 2018)

Terrell Suggs... Just saying his name puts a smile on one's face. He entered the NFL like a tornado. A member of the 2003 Pro Football Writers Association's All-Rookie Team, the first of his two Super Bowl rings was earned with the Ravens.

Affectionately referred to as 'Sizzle', he's a seven-time Pro Bowler, a 2008 Second-Team All-Pro, a 2011 First-Team All-Pro, and the 2011 Defensive Player of the Year. He earned seven Pro Bowl nods during his time in Baltimore and is a member of the Ravens Ring of Honor. Suggs finished his 17-year career with 139 sacks, which ranks eighth all-time and is three more than Jared Allen, who was enshrined in last year's Hall of Fame class.

We don't have votes, but if we did, all of these guys would get in. Each one is truly deserving.

Willie Anderson (2008)

An all-time great in the AFC North, Anderson played for the Cincinnati Bengals and Baltimore Ravens during his illustrious career. A legendary figure at Auburn in the SEC, Anderson was selected by the Bengals 10th overall in the 1996 NFL draft. A four-time Pro Bowler and three-time first-team All-Pro selection, Anderson played his first 12 seasons with the Bengals. The 11 quarterback pressures Anderson allowed in 2006 were the fourth-fewest pressures allowed by an offensive tackle in a season between 2006 and 2019. Anderson was the first NFL right tackle to be named a first-team All-Pro in three straight seasons since Dan Dierdorf, Ron Yary, and Rayfield Wright all did it in the 1970s, and the first right tackle to be named to the Pro Bowl in four straight seasons.

This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: 5 former Ravens land among Pro Football Hall of Fame semifinalists