Lance Briggs won’t make the Pro Football Hall of Fame in his first year.
The former Bears linebacker wasn’t among the 25 modern-era semifinalists announced by the Hall on Thursday. Neither was former Bears center Olin Kreutz.
Both Briggs and Kreutz were among 122 players nominated for the Hall in September.
From 2003-14, Briggs had 16 interceptions, five defensive touchdowns, seven fumble recoveries, 16 forced fumbles and 15 sacks. He made seven Pro Bowls.
“He elevated not only my game but the entire defense — his enthusiasm was contagious,” teammate Brian Urlacher said in his Hall of Fame induction speech in 2018.