Of all the great players who have suited up over the last few decades that have not been inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, there is a case to be made that the greatest of that excluded club is former San Francisco 49ers running back Roger Craig.
Outside of Joe Montana, no one touched the ball more for those dynastic 1980s 49ers teams than Craig, who helped change the game by being equally as deadly as a rusher and receiver out of the backfield. After decades of waiting, No. 33 may join many of his 49ers teammates in Canton.
The NFL announced that five individuals have reached the “finalist” threshold for Hall of Fame induction. In addition to legendary New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick and owner Robert Kraft, Craig was named as one of three former senior players who could be up for this very rare honor.
Craig joins former Cincinnati Bengals MVP quarterback Ken Anderson and tremendous Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end L.C. Greenwood. After years of waiting, 49ers fans might be able to finally see Craig etch his name up there with the best of the best.
Legendary 49ers RB Roger Craig up for Hall of Fame induction in 2026
Craig made four Pro Bowls and two All-Pro teams in his career, all while tallying over 13,000 yards from scrimmage. With more catches than Kellen Winslow and more rushing yards than Larry Csonka, Craig remains one of the best pass-catching running backs in NFL history.
Craig, who became the first running back to ever tally 1,000 yards rushing and receiving in the same season. Since, only Marshall Faulk and Christian McCaffrey have managed to be better than him. Craig won NFL Offensive Player of the Year in 1985 and contributed to three champion 49ers teams.
Like many players on legendary teams, Craig (and Greenwood) were likely pushed to the side by voters who were hesitant to elect too many stars from the same squad. Craig’s relatively short prime and his three seasons as a backup with the Raiders and Vikings after leaving San Francisco likely weighed on voters as well.
With more than enough individual accolades to his name, three championships, and a role as the main ground game engine for one of the greatest dynasties in NFL history, Craig has a resume that should end up with him getting a gold jacket when it’s all said and done.
