San Francisco, CA — For nearly three decades, 49ers fans have insisted the Hall of Fame conversation could never be complete without Roger Craig. Today, that belief finally surged one giant step closer to reality. In an announcement that sent shockwaves across the NFL and tears through the Bay Area, Craig was officially named one of three Senior Finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2026 — placing him within a single vote of enshrinement.

For a player whose résumé helped redefine modern football, the news is more than an honor. It feels like long-overdue justice.

Craig, now 65, revolutionized the running back position during his eight seasons in San Francisco, becoming the first player in league history to record 1,000 rushing yards and 1,000 receiving yards in the same season — an unprecedented 1985 campaign that helped trigger the NFL’s shift toward versatile, pass-catching backs. Only two other players — Marshall Faulk and Christian McCaffrey — have matched the feat in the 40 years since.

That alone, many argue, should have punched Craig’s ticket to Canton years ago. Yet until now, he remained on the outside looking in.

Not anymore.

Today’s announcement from the Hall of Fame’s Blue-Ribbon Committee elevates Craig to Finalist status alongside quarterback Ken Anderson and Steelers defensive end L.C. Greenwood. Under revised selection rules, only one to three Senior Finalists can be chosen for induction, depending on the results of early-February voting. To earn his gold jacket, Craig must receive approval from at least 80% of the Hall’s full Selection Committee.

For San Francisco, the moment is monumental.

Craig was far more than a statistical anomaly. He was the engine of the 49ers’ dynasty during one of the most dominant stretches in NFL history. Across the late 1980s, while Joe Montana and Jerry Rice drew national headlines, Craig provided the heartbeat — the all-purpose warrior whose slashing runs, bruising physicality, and unmatched receiving ability kept Bill Walsh’s West Coast offense years ahead of its time.

In the 1988 season, Craig’s brilliance culminated in being named NFL Offensive Player of the Year, helping lead the 49ers to a Super Bowl XXIII championship. He would win three Super Bowls in total, becoming one of the most decorated dual-threat backs the league has ever seen.

And yet, for decades, his Hall of Fame hopes stalled.

Former teammates have long expressed disbelief. Jerry Rice has repeated for years that Craig “changed the game.” Montana has called him the toughest, most reliable player on the field. Even modern stars like McCaffrey and Saquon Barkley have cited Craig as a blueprint for their own playstyles.

Today, those voices finally feel heard.

The announcement triggered emotional reactions across the 49ers community. Longtime fans recalled the high-kneed running style that powered the dynasty. Former teammates posted messages celebrating a man they describe as “the ultimate professional.” Social media was flooded with clips of Craig breaking tackles, catching passes in stride, and lowering his shoulder into defenders who underestimated his violence and versatility.

Craig himself has not yet spoken publicly, but those close to him say he is “humbled, grateful, and overwhelmed.”

What makes this moment even more meaningful is how fiercely competitive the Senior category has become. Players in this pool must have retired at least 25 years ago — often leaving fanbases pleading for the Hall to revisit the overlooked greats. Craig has been among the loudest omissions, a fact acknowledged even by many Hall voters.

The new selection structure — which groups Senior, Coach, and Contributor candidates into competing pools — added even greater difficulty. Only three Senior Finalists were chosen from a list of dozens this year. Craig made the cut.

But the journey isn’t finished yet. The final vote will take place in early February during Super Bowl LX week in San Francisco, a fitting backdrop for one of the most iconic players in 49ers history.

If Craig receives the necessary support — and early expectations suggest momentum is finally on his side — he will join the Class of 2026 and officially be immortalized in Canton on August 8.

For now, though, San Francisco celebrates. A franchise legend is closer than ever to receiving the honor he earned with every catch, every run, every hit, every championship.

One step from immortality.
One vote from a gold jacket.
One moment away from rewriting NFL history.

Roger Craig — the 49ers legend, the NFL trailblazer, and the original dual-threat superstar — is finally on the doorstep of Canton.