Jahri Evans Misses Hall of Fame Nod Again-But His Case Only Gets Stronger
Drew Brees got the call. Jahri Evans didn’t.
At Thursday night’s NFL Honors ceremony, Brees was rightfully inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on his first ballot, cementing his legacy as one of the greatest quarterbacks to ever play the game. But standing just outside the golden doors of Canton once again was his longtime protector, Jahri Evans-a finalist for the Class of 2026, but not among the names announced.
For Saints fans and football purists alike, it’s a tough pill to swallow. Because when you talk about the New Orleans Saints' rise to prominence in the late 2000s and early 2010s, you can’t tell that story without Jahri Evans.
Drafted in the fourth round in 2006 out of Bloomsburg-a Division II school tucked away in Pennsylvania-Evans wasn’t supposed to be a star. But he didn’t waste a moment proving he belonged.
He started every game as a rookie at right guard and didn’t miss a single start until deep into the 2013 season, racking up 122 consecutive starts, including playoff games. That kind of durability, especially in the trenches, is rare.
That kind of consistency? Even rarer.
But Evans wasn’t just an ironman. He was a force.
A six-time Pro Bowler, four-time first-team All-Pro, and a member of the NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 2010s, Evans was the definition of elite at his position. From 2009 to 2012, he was arguably the best guard in football.
And even as the Saints’ offense evolved, Evans remained a cornerstone-reliable, physical, and technically sound.
He played a central role in one of the most explosive offenses in NFL history, helping the Saints to five playoff appearances, three NFC South titles, and a Super Bowl XLIV championship. Brees got the headlines, but Evans was the one keeping the pocket clean, paving the way for running backs, and setting the tone in the trenches. He started 179 of a possible 186 games during his 11 seasons in New Orleans-numbers that speak to both his toughness and his value.
Evans even earned second-team All-Pro honors in 2013 and was named to the NFL All-Rookie Team back in 2006. His resume is deep, decorated, and deserving. He was inducted into the Saints Hall of Fame in 2020 and is a member of the franchise’s 50th Anniversary Team.
He spent his final NFL season with the Green Bay Packers in 2017, but make no mistake-Jahri Evans will always be a Saint. And one of the greatest to ever wear the black and gold.
This marks the second straight year Evans has reached finalist status, and while he didn’t make the cut this time, his candidacy is only gaining momentum. Offensive linemen often have to wait their turn, especially guards.
But Evans’ body of work is impossible to ignore. He wasn’t just good-he was dominant.
Year after year. Snap after snap.
Maybe 2027 will be the year the Hall gets it right. Because Jahri Evans isn’t just knocking on the door-he’s earned the right to walk through it.