Willie Anderson an Automatic 2026 Finalist Following Latest Pro Football Hall of Fame Denial

Cincinnati could get their guy in next season.

2003.08.05 BENGALS SPORTS : The Cincinnati Bengals' Willie Anderson participates in the morning session of training camp in Georgetown, Kentucky Tuesday August 5, 2003. Jeff Swinger/Cincinnati Enquirer js No Title / Enquirer file / USA TODAY NETWORK

CINCINNATI — At least some positivity came out of Willie Anderson's latest denial into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com noted that the former Bengals right tackle finished among the top-seven vote getters and thus will be an automatic finalist next February.

Four other legends got their call into the hall: Jared Allen, Sterling Sharpe, Eric Allen, and Antonio Gates.

Anderson played 195 games for Cincinnati with just 36 total penalties and three first-team All-Pro appearances from 2004-06. The committee chose four inductees from the 15-name list and those inductees had to receive at least 80% of the vote. It's a high bar to clear, but arguably the greatest right tackle in NFL history deserves his moment in the sun.

He's now entering his 13th year of eligibility.

For more on the Bengals, subscribe to our YouTube Channel and watch the video below:

Make sure you bookmark BengalsTalk.com for the latest Bengals news, exclusive interviews, film breakdowns and so much more!

You May Also Like:

Bengals' Joe Burrow Shares Downside of Winning Comeback Player of the Year For Second Time

Look: Ja'Marr Chase Receives ZERO First-Place OPOY Votes Despite Elite Underlying Metric

Joe Burrow Wins Second Career Comeback Player of the Year Award

'That Sounds Good' - Ja'Marr Chase Reacts to Possible Annual Contract Values During Super Bowl Week

Joe Burrow Discusses Last Time He Was Satisfied Playing Football

Cincinnati Bengals Free Agency Preview: Could Experienced Division Rival Be a Fit at Guard?

Look: NFL Insider Shares Intriguing Update on Tee Higgins' Future With Cincinnati Bengals

The Most Important Free Agent This Offseason: Cincinnati Bengals Must Retain Cornerback Mike Hilton

'There's A Real Framework To Work Off Of' - Duke Tobin Dives Into Bengals Desire to Extend Ja'Marr Chase

Duke Tobin on Trey Hendrickson's Future With Bengals: 'He Has Earned a Pay Raise'

What Erick All's Injury Means for Bengals' Plans at Tight End in Free Agency and 2025 NFL Draft

Sources: Bengals Players 'Excited' About Defensive Coordinator Al Golden and Revamped Coaching Staff

Report: Arrests Made in Possible Relation to Joe Burrow Home Robbery

'He's an Expert Pass Pro Technician' - NFL World Reacts to Bengals New O-Line Coach Scott Peters

Former Bengals Coach Lou Anarumo Named Colts Defensive Coordinator

Legendary Bengals Coach Jim McNally Praises Offensive Line Hiring of Scott Peters

-----

Join the 46,000+ Bengals fans who subscribe to us on YouTube.

Follow us on Twitter: @BengalsTalkSI

Like Our Facebook Page

Subscribe and follow the ONLY Daily Bengals Podcast

Follow on TikTok