The five years needed from retirement to eligibility will pass for these all-time great NFL players, who range from an all-time wide receiver in Arizona Cardinals legend Larry Fitzgerald to Super Bowl-winning New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees. There are some possible first-time ballot Hall of Famers on this list on both sides of the ball.

Allen was one of the most dominant pass-rushers in the NFL throughout his career. He racked up a total of 136 sacks in his 12-year career and became a fan-favorite with the Kansas City Chiefs, Minnesota Vikings, Chicago Bears, and Minnesota Vikings in the 2000s and 2010s.

Eric Allen, 59, spent seven seasons in Philadelphia after being drafted in 1988 by the Eagles in the second round. He made an immediate impact, tallying five interceptions as a rookie and another eight in 1989, earning the first of his six Pro Bowl nods as well as an All-Pro selection.