Bengals Ring of Honor member Willie Anderson reached the Pro Football Hall of Fame semifinals for the fifth straight year on Wednesday when the names of the 25 remaining modern-era candidates for the 2025 class were revealed.
Anderson, the dominant right tackle who played 12 of his 13 seasons in Cincinnati, leads a five-man offensive lineman roster that includes three new semifinalists: guards Marshal Yanda and Steve Wisniewski and tackle Richmond Webb. Six-time Saints Pro Bowl guard Jahri Evans is back.
Webb, Anderson’s teammate with the Bengals from 2001-02, finished his career here after being named to the Pro Bowl seven times during his 11 seasons in Miami. This is the first trip to the semifinals for Webb, eligible since 2008, and Yanda, in his first year of eligibility. Wisniewski, an eight-time Pro Bowler who spent all 13 years with the Raiders, has been eligible since 2007 and reached the semifinals for the second time and first time since 2014.
Anderson, who appeared in the Hall’s final 15 games for three straight years, became the first right tackle named to three consecutive All-Pro teams in 30 years during his time in Cincinnati from 1996 to 2007. Anderson and Evans were the only offensive linemen to reach the finals last year.
The 15-man selection by a selection committee (of which Bengals.com is a member) will take place at the end of December, followed by the final in mid-January. The induction is scheduled for August 7-10 at the Hall in Canton, Ohio.
Yanda, who played with the Ravens from 2007 to 2019, is a two-time All-Pro and one of six first-time eligible: Cincinnati High product Luke Kuechly, Panthers linebacker, Washington quarterback Giants Eli Manning, Patriots-Colts kicker Adam. Vinatieri, Ravens pass rusher Terrell Suggs and Seattle safety Earl Thomas.
The only players who have been in the semifinals more than Anderson are Rams wide receiver Torry Holt, who reached it in the 11th.th time, and Jaguars running back Fred Taylor, who reached it for the sixth time. Passenger Jared Allen and cornerback Eric Allen also had five passes.
Bengals Ring of Honor quarterback Ken Anderson is on a list of 31 senior candidates that will be narrowed down to nine semifinalists and announced next month.
