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When you're talking about Seahawks legends, two names always come up in the backfield conversation: Shaun Alexander and Marshawn Lynch. These two defined their eras in Seattle, one with record-breaking stats, the other with unforgettable moments-and a personality as bruising as his running style.

But now the big question isn’t about what they did in a Seahawks uniform. It’s about whether they’ll eventually hear their names called in Canton.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame revealed its list of 128 modern-era candidates for the Class of 2026, and once again, both Alexander and Lynch are in the mix. No newcomers with Seahawks ties on this year’s first-time list, but these two fan favorites remain in the running. Still, the road to football immortality isn’t looking particularly friendly.

Let’s start with Shaun Alexander. His 2005 MVP season is etched into NFL lore: he led the league in carries, rushing yards, and rushing touchdowns-an absolute monster of a campaign.

But despite that peak, Alexander sits 37th on the NFL’s all-time rushing list. Of the 14 players right above him, only one-Joe Perry-has made it to the Hall.

That places Alexander in a weird zone: dominant at his best, but not stacked high enough statistically for some voters.

Then there’s the other side of the argument, and it’s not just about numbers. Some detractors point to the fact that Alexander ran behind two Hall of Famers on the left side of that offensive line-guard Steve Hutchinson and tackle Walter Jones.

Fair or not, it’s something voters have to weigh. Did he benefit from world-class protection?

Absolutely. Did he maximize it?

No doubt. But in a Hall of Fame debate, context cuts both ways.

Now flip the script, and you’ve got Beast Mode.

Marshawn Lynch didn’t put up a 27-touchdown season or win an MVP, but what he did bring was something harder to quantify-iconic moments. He’s the kind of player whose highlight reel tells a story loud enough to shake stadium walls. And with more career rushing yards than Alexander, a Super Bowl ring, and the type of postseason production that burns itself into fans’ memories, you’d think his case is pretty solid.

But it’s complicated. Lynch is only 30th on the all-time rushing list, with just two All-Pro honors to his name.

And while he was adored by fans, his testy relationship with the media (we all remember "I'm just here so I won't get fined") hasn’t exactly helped in terms of public perception. Voters tend to value sustained statistical excellence, team accolades, and sometimes, how a player fits into the broader narrative of the NFL.

Lynch has the narrative-no one will forget the Beast Quake-but does he have the resume?

Outside the backfield, there are a few other former Seahawks on the ballot with repeat appearances. Kam Chancellor and Earl Thomas-two pillars of the Legion of Boom secondary-deserve long looks when their time truly comes. And then there’s John Kasay, the longtime kicker with early ties to the Seahawks before spending most of his career in Carolina.

Still, if we’re talking next likely inductees from Seattle, the names to watch for in the Class of 2027 are cornerback Richard Sherman and head coach Mike Holmgren. Sherman’s resume as a shutdown corner and key architect of one of the greatest defenses of the era is Hall-worthy.

And Holmgren? Multiple Super Bowl appearances, one title with Green Bay, and a major role in making the Seahawks a consistent force in the NFC?

He checks a lot of boxes.

For Alexander and Lynch, though, the path to a gold jacket looks like a crowded, uphill run. The numbers are solid, and the legacies in Seattle are without question. But the Hall of Fame is about impact across the league, sustained over time, and it’s clear that in both cases, voters still need convincing.

One redefined being a workhorse. The other redefined what it means to run angry.

Whether that’s enough for Canton remains to be seen. But in Seattle?

There’s no debate. These guys are the standard.