Source: ESPN NFL
Why Nick Mangold belongs in the Hall of Fame conversationplayRex Ryan emotionally reflects on Nick Mangold (1:32)Rex Ryan recalls his time with the Jets coaching Nick Mangold, who died at the age of 41. (1:32)Rich CiminiNov 2, 2025, 06:00 AM ETCloseRich Cimini is a staff writer who covers the New York Jets and the NFL at ESPN. Rich has covered the Jets for over 30 years, joining ESPN in 2010. Rich also hosts the Flight Deck podcast. He previously was a beat writer for the New York Daily News and is a graduate of Syracuse University.Follow on XEmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsFLORHAM PARK, N.J. — A look at what’s happening around theNew York Jets:1.’Gold’ star résumé:Three days before he died, Nick Mangold learned he was one of 52 modern-era semifinalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2026. Whether he makes it or not, his legacy as a player and a person is secure. He’s one of the most beloved Jets of his generation.And, yes, he certainly belongs in the Hall of Fame conversation.”A lot of people come up and tell me, ‘You’re the best center to ever play’ … and it’s hard for me to receive that because I know in my heart that Nick Mangold at his best was 10 times the player I ever was,” Jason Kelce said this week on his “New Heights” podcast. “I could never be that dominant at the center position. Nick was phenomenal.”That’s quite a compliment, coming from the most decorated center of the last quarter century. Kelce was a six-time first-team All-Pro with thePhiladelphia Eagles.”Nick Mangold at his best was ten times the player than I ever was”Rest in peace to a legend of the game 💚pic.twitter.com/j2NZE0y4fX— New Heights (@newheightshow)October 29, 2025″The thing that really impressed me was, considering I came into the league as a center myself, [Mangold] was the best center I ever played with,” former Jets teammate Damien Woody said on ESPN’s “Flight Deck” podcast.Let’s take a closer look at Mangold’s Hall of Fame candidacy:There are only 11 centers in the Hall of Fame, so it’s not an easy trip to Canton. The last one inducted was former Jet Kevin Mawae (Class of 2019). A side note: The Jets went from Mawae to Mangold, giving them 19 years of continuously elite play at the position.Mangold has competition at his own position, as former centers Olin Kreutz (Chicago Bears) and Maurkice Pouncey (Pittsburgh Steelers) are among the semifinalists. Pouncey and Mangold were twice named first-team All-Pro, Kreutz once. Pouncey has nine Pro Bowls, compared to Mangold’s seven and Kreutz’s six. Kreutz and Pouncey were named to the all-decade team for the 2000s and 2010s, respectively. Mangold didn’t receive all-decade recognition. The competition will stiffen in 2029, when Kelce is eligible for the first time.From 2006 (Mangold’s first year) to present, he is one of only four centers to make first-team All-Pro at least twice. The others are Kelce, Pouncey andRyan Kalil(Carolina Panthers). They enjoyed more team success than Mangold; they each pla…
Published: 2025-11-02T11:19:53
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