Obviously it's way too early to say, but does anyone else think Marshawn is beginning to accumulate the kinds of accomplishments that land guys in the hall of fame? He's currently 52nd all time in rushing yards with 7,389. He has five 1000 yard seasons so far. That's not close to enough, but he's just 27 and has been pretty durable the last few seasons. Running backs tend to decline quickly but with decent health and a good team around him 10K yards isn't out of the question. That would put him about 30th all time.

The NFL HoF seems to put a lot of stock in postseason success -rightly or wrongly- and Marshawn has had excellent production in the playoffs. He also has probably the most legendary run in the postseason at least since Marcus Allen's reverse field run in the super bowl in the early 80s. If they win it all this year he has a good chance to be the game's MVP. Combine that accomplishment with a respectable career rushing total and I think he'd have a great shot.

Yes
Go Bears!

what he does in 2 weeks will be a determining factor

A couple of lackluster years in Buffalo will probably hurt him since he hasn't become a top tier back until the past 3 years or so. At 27, he may not have many good years left in him. I would think that he would also need to top the league in yards at least one season (too bad AP's near record season last year relegated Marshawn's 2nd highest total to obscurity).

We are a long way from this conversation being worth having. He needs to have consistent production for many years

wanderlust;842266229 said:

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We are a long way from this conversation being worth having. He needs to have consistent production for many years

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I acknowledge that it's premature but I don't think it's nearly as far off as you suggest. Win one game in two weeks, have a couple more seasons roughly like the last three, and he's a very serious candidate.

JMO, depends on how many years he can do this for. He's a beastly power runner, and guys like that don't usually last enough years to make them HOF types....if he can buck the mold....

How Seattle uses him going forward will be the biggest factor. If he can be productive without getting too many touches then he has a chance. Seattle needs to keep the passing game going and even improve on it. I'd say he has a chance, but a small one (of it is bigger than 99.99999999% of most players).

The problem is that a lot of RBs fall off quickly once they hit their 30s. If Lynch can keep up strong production past that then he has a chance.

I am certainly rooting for him as he is one of my all-time favorite bears. He has accumulated a good start so far but there are about 10 backs who got to about 10,000 yards and 80 tds before father time cut them short. A ring or two could set him aside from the others in that group. NFL has a big logjam of backs and WR's waiting to get into the HOF also.

He has a decent shot at earning the SB48 MVP, that should help.

Marshawn has the big highlight reel runs. He'll likely get the yards (10k) and TDs if things continue to go right. He has the leadership and put the team on his back thing. Now he needs a SB ring or two, plus a couple of memorable big plays (like today), to make it for sure. SB MVP would help even more.

Definitely has a shot.

it is all about his health. 5 more years and I think he is in, as long as he wins this next game.

Yeah if he wins a ring and has 3-4 more really good years he is a lock.

Yep, if he can go for 3-4 more years he's a lock. IMO he's the Earl Campbell of this era and may end up being the best RB of this era (Peterson is injured too much). What's crazy is how much punishment he takes and he just looks invincible. He's like trying to tackle a tank.

RaphaelAglietti;842266567 said:

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Yep, if he can go for 3-4 more years he's a lock. IMO he's the Earl Campbell of this era and may end up being the best RB of this era (Peterson is injured too much). What's crazy is how much punishment he takes and he just looks invincible. He's like trying to tackle a tank.

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Marshawn plays his best against the best and when it matters most. He'll never catch Peterson's regular season stats (and for the HOF he won't have to). But he has a decided edge in the postseason:
http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/stats/_/id/10452/seasontype/3/adrian-peterson
http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/stats/_/id/10456/seasontype/3/marshawn-lynch

No.

He has virtually zero chance.

He got off to a slow start and he doesn't get many receptions. He would have to have a TREMENDOUS late career and extreme longevity to make it happen - given the type of back he is that isn't likely.

Not premature - cause I was thinking the same thing a week or two again. At that time, I thought yes, if he had 5 more years of 1000+ yards. But, you know, Frank Gore has played 2 seasons more and has about 2500 yards more, and Gore seems to be getting long in the tooth, no? Gore has just under 10k yards and is 29th in all time yards from scrimmage. I wouldn't think of Gore as a HOFer! Marshawn seems SO much more electric. But Gore has 4.6 yards per carry, and Lynch only 4.2. Ouch. So, who gets in first? If either.

http://www.pro-football-reference.com/leaders/rush_yds_career.htm

My fear is that Lynch breaks down before he approaches HOF. He is such a damned physical runner. Incredible. How much longer can his body take the abuse!?!?!?

88Bear;842266822 said:

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No.

He has virtually zero chance.

He got off to a slow start and he doesn't get many receptions. He would have to have a TREMENDOUS late career and extreme longevity to make it happen - given the type of back he is that isn't likely.

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He went to the Pro Bowl his first year and rushed for 1000+ yards, 7+ TDs, and 4+ YPC both his first two seasons. The majority of HOF RBs are in the 4.2 YPC range, exactly where he is now. Sure he'll decline at some point and has taken a lot of hits in his career. But the reason he's taken those hits is because he's more athletic and more rugged than his competitors. If he does get a Super Bowl MVP, he will have completed one of the most impressive postseasons a RB has ever had.