NEW ORLEANS — When it comes to making the Pro Football Hall of Fame, being great isn't enough, and sometimes even the greatest have to wait.

That's the case for two of the Panthers legends who made the final 15 this year, as neither Luke Kuechly nor Steve Smith Sr. were among the four-man Class of 2025, which was announced Thursday night at NFL Honors at the Saenger Theater.

The select few this year were modern candidates tight end Antonio Gates, defensive end Jared Allen, and cornerback Eric Allen. They were joined by coach/senior/contributor finalist Sterling Sharpe, the former Packers wide receiver, for a class of four.

Allen played his final season with the Panthers and had 2.0 of his 136.0 sacks in 2015 as he helped the Panthers to Super Bowl 50.

It's an incredible class, by any measure. Just a condensed one.

It's the smallest group since 2005, and came as a result of rules changes designed to make the Hall more exclusive than it already was. Since 2005, the Hall has had at least five modern-era candidates enshrined every year except 2007, when former commissioner Paul Tagliabue failed to get the required 80 percent.

Kuechly made the cut to the final seven this year, but the new rules designed to tighten the process left him on the outside of the 80 percent threshold. (See Wednesday's story for details.)

However, another new wrinkle created by the Hall's board of directors makes him an automatic finalist next year, moving him closer what seems clear to be an eventual enshrinement.

He was joined in the final seven by kicker Adam Vinatieri, wide receiver Torry Holt, and right tackle Willie Anderson, meaning there are 11 spots available as finalists in voting for the Class of 2026.

For Kuechly, missing out follows a familiar pattern for a player with a similar resume. Linebacker Patrick Willis had a nearly identical career, and was enshrined last year in his third year of eligibility.

Both played eight seasons, shortened by injury. Both were named to the All-Decade team, went to seven Pro Bowls, earned defensive rookie of the year honors, and went to one Super Bowl.

The only differences were that Kuechly was named All-Pro seven times to Willis' six, and Kuechly was named defensive player of the year in 2013.

The fact that it took Willis three years would suggest a certain floor for Kuechly's candidacy, but the new rules that created the smallest class since 2005 might complicate that. The Hall has been inducting an average of eight a year for the last four years, and cutting that class in half could create longer wait times for everyone.

But make no mistake, Kuechly was absolutely deserving.

By being named All-Pro seven times in eight years, he was recognized as the best in the league 87.5 percent of his years played.

The only players in the history of the NFL with a higher percentage are Barry Sanders (10-of-10, 100 percent) and Jim Brown (8-of-9, 88.9 percent).

That's it. That's the list. Luke Kuechly is in a club with Barry Sanders and Jim Brown. That alone should tell you he's Hall of Fame-worthy.

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

With Holt an automatic finalist next year, Smith will be fighting for one of those 11 remaining finalist spots with fellow finalist Reggie Wayne and Larry Fitzgerald joining the queue as a first-time finalist next year.

(Neither Smith nor Wayne made the final 10 in this year's voting, as they were eliminated in the first cut along with Eli Manning, Terrell Suggs, and Fred Taylor. Defensive back Darren Woodson and guards Jahri Evans and Marshal Yanda made the cut to 10, but not to the final seven.)

Smith is eighth in league history in receiving yards and 12th in receptions. Wayne is 10th in both categories. Holt is 17th in yards and 26th in receptions in a shorter career. Fitzgerald is second in both categories, trailing only Jerry Rice on the all-time list, so you like his chances.

But before Fitzgerald enters the chat, Smith made a mark among this group by standing out as a solo artist, while Holt and Wayne had the benefit of being part of ensemble casts.

While Holt was playing 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 slugging it out with a lesser grade of offensive help.

That meant he drew every team's best defender (or more often two), and did it for teams that preferred to run.

The year he won the triple crown, leading the league in catches, yards, and touchdowns (2005), the Panthers ran more often than they threw.

But that's a discussion that will continue, and with a restrictor plate on class size now, it's only going to get more difficult in years to come.

Eligible for the first time next year will be a group including quarterback Drew Brees, Fitzgerald, and center Maurkice Pouncey, along with others including former Panthers tight end Greg Olsen and linebacker Thomas Davis, quarterback Philip Rivers, tight end Jason Witten, running back Frank Gore, and more.

In 2027, first-time eligibles will include running back Adrian Peterson, cornerback Richard Sherman, tight end Rob Gronkowski, and former Panthers quarterback Cam Newton , along with quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.

In 2028, quarterback Tom Brady and defensive end J.J. Watt will become eligible for the first time along with quarterback Matt Ryan.

So if the rules remain as they are, most of the legends involved in the process are going to have to wait.

No matter how deserving they are.