3 former Commanders who could be future Hall of Famers (and 6 who won't)

London Fletcher

The case for London Fletcher - the tackling machine who played a plurality of his career with the Washington Commanders franchise - is much like the case for Brian Mitchell. In the history of the NFL, only Ray Lewis recorded more tackles.

Fletcher is one of four players in the top 10 of all-time tackles not in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. So that credential alone guarantees nothing. Is never missing a game in a 16-year career worthy of inclusion? Starting every game for 13 consecutive seasons? Four Pro Bowl selections? The credentials are there for all to see.

The imposing linebacker is seen as an accumulator of stats, but at what point does the NFL recognize that to accumulate such massive numbers, a player has to be consistently excellent over of very long period?

As with Brian Mitchell, one impediment to Fletcher’s election was removed when Randy Gradishar made it into the 2024 class. But there are still plenty of obstacles in his path. Luke Kuechly will be eligible for induction next year. He immediately shifts to the front of the linebackers' line.

That leaves Fletcher competing against players like Clay Matthews - who has similar accolades but a more recognizable family name. Hopefully, it won't be much longer before he's given a place among the NFL immortals.