No Hall calls for Panthers; Luke Kuechly an automatic finalist in 2026

For Smith, the wait could be longer based on this year’s results.

With Holt an automatic finalist next year, Smith is fighting for one of these 11 remaining finalist places with colleague finalist Reggie Wayne and Larry Fitzgerald, who join the queue as a first time finalist next year.

(Neither Smith Nor Wayne made the last 10 in this year’s vote when they were removed in the first cut along with Eli Manning, Terrell Suggs and Fred Taylor. Defensive Back Darren Woodson and Guarian Jahri Evans and Marshal Yanda made the clip to 10, but not to the last seven.)

Smith is eighth in the league story in receipt of yards and 12. In receptions. Wayne is 10. In both categories. Holt is 17. On Yards and 26. In receptions in a shorter career. Fitzgerald is number two in both categories and only draws Jerry Rice on the list of time, so you like his chances.

But before Fitzgerald enters the chat, Smith marked a touch among this group by standing out as a solo artist, while Holt and Wayne had the advantage of being part of the ensemble throws.

While Holt played on offenses with Hall of Famers Isaac Bruce, Marshall Faulk, Kurt Warner and Orlando Pace, and Wayne had Marvin Harrison, Edgerrin James and Peyton Manning, Smith was out there swallowing out with a lesser character of offensive help.

That meant he pulled each team’s best defender (or more often two), and did it for teams who preferred to run.

The year he won Triple Crown led the league in catches, yards and touchdowns (2005), Panthers ran more often than they threw.