49ers news: Is Joe Staley a first-ballot Hall of Famer?

The Pro Football Hall of Fame announced the 167 modern-era players nominated for the class of 2024. The nominees are full of recognizable names, including three former San Francisco 49ers.

Safety Antoine Bethea, offensive tackle Joe Staley, and tight ends Vernon Davis and Delanie Walker are all on the list. Each is eligible now that they’ve been retired for five years. It seems like just yesterday when Staley took the field for the Niners in Super Bowl LIV.

The list will be trimmed to 50 in mid-October. Names like Adam Vinatieri feel like locks to get in, while it’s only a matter of time before Eli Manning makes it.

From 50, the list will then be cut to 25 semifinalists before there are 15 finalists. There will be no more than five modern-era players inducted.

There are a slew of former Niners eligible, including Justin Smith, NaVorro Bowman, Ken Norton Jr., Julian Peterson, Anquan Boldin, Ricky Watters, Jeff Garcia, Takeo Spikes, Lee Woodall, and Bill Romanowski.

Let’s talk about Staley. Is he a Hall of Famer? He had a decorated 13-year career that included six Pro Bowl nods and was second-team All-Pro three times. Staley appeared in a pair of Super Bowls and made the NFL’s All-Decade team for the 2010s. He undoubtedly has an argument. Perhaps the question should be how soon he’s elected, not whether he is.

What do you think, when will Staley be elected? Is he a first-ballot Hall of Famer? What will be held against him if not?