Patriots legend Richard Seymour misses Pro Football Hall of Fame cut for third straight year

The writing was already on the wall given the impressive group of first-time finalists he had to compete against, but now it is official: Richard Seymour has missed the Pro Football Hall of Fame cut for the third straight year. The long time New England Patriots defensive tackle will have to wait for 2022 to get another chance at earning the elusive gold jacket.

While Seymour did not make it past finalist status yet again, eight players were voted into the Hall of Fame: quarterback Peyton Manning, wide receivers Calvin Johnson and Drew Pearson, guard Alan Faneca, defensive backs Charles Woodson and John Lynch, head coach Tom Flores and executive Bill Nunn. Manning, Johnson and Woodson were all in their first year of eligibility.

With those three joining the process this year, Seymour’s chances appeared to be small to begin with. He himself seemed to acknowledge that on social media on Saturday:

Despite getting snubbed again, Seymour does bring some impressive credentials to the table and is again expected to be in the Hall of Fame mix next year. After all, he is one of the founding members of the Patriots’ dynasty and has been as dominant a defensive tackle during his career as any in football.

The Patriots’ first-round selection in 2001, Seymour spent the first eight seasons of his 12-year career in New England and appeared in 126 games for the franchise before getting traded to the Oakland Raiders in 2009. He played a key role in the New England’s first three Super Bowl runs, was voted to seven Pro Bowls and named to the NFL’s team of the 2000s. He also is a member of both the Patriots’ team of the 2000s and the franchise’s 50th anniversary team.

Seymour will get his next chance in 2022, and could theoretically receive the honor alongside a former teammate of his: long-time Patriots nose tackle Vince Wilfork, who himself has a very good case, will be eligible to be voted into the Hall of Fame for the first time.