Demaryius, Talib among 19 former Broncos nominated for Pro Football Hall of Fame

Thomas, Talib are eligible for HOF for first time. Other nominees include Rod Smith, Tom Nalen, Brandon Marshall, Neil Smith, Mark Schlereth, Jason Elam.

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Former Broncos Demaryius Thomas and Aqib Talib were nominated for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2025 in their first year of eligibility on the modern-era ballot.

Thomas, a Bronco from when he was the team’s first-round draft pick in 2010 until he was traded midway through the 2017 season, is the second-leading receiver in team history with 9,055 receiving yards and 60 touchdowns. He trails only Rod Smith in both categories. Thomas’ 665 receptions with the Broncos rank third behind Smith and Hall of Fame tight end Shannon Sharpe.

Thomas, who died suddenly of seizure complications just shy of his 34th birthday in December 2021, once held the Super Bowl single-game record with 13 catches to cap the 2013 season. He was one of the NFL’s three-best receivers in the five-year stretch from 2012-16 when he averaged 98 receptions, 1,145 yards and 9 touchdowns.

Talib was a four-time Pro Bowler and once a first-time All Pro in his four seasons with the Broncos from 2014-17. An astonishing six of his 11 interceptions were returned for touchdowns while with the Broncos.

There were 17 other former Broncos who were among the 167 players nominated on the modern-era HOF ballot:

RB: Jamaal Charles, Glyn Milburn, Clinton Portis
WR: Brandon Marshall, Rod Smith, Demaryius Thomas, Wes Welker
TE: Vernon Davis
OL: Tom Nalen, Mark Schlereth
DL: Neil Smith, Jamal Williams, Simeon Rice, Ted Washington
LB: Bill Romanowski, Keith Brooking
K: Jason Elam

The group of 167 nominees will be trimmed to 50 in mid-October. There will then be an announcement of 25 semifinalists, followed by 15 finalists who will go before the HOF selection committee for vote ahead of Super Bowl LVIX. Eventually up to five modern-era players will be elected.