When former Raiders quarterback Kenny Stabler passed away on July 9, one of the first football-related questions most people asked was: When is Stabler going to get inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame?

The answer to that question could come as soon as 2016.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame announced on Wednesday that Stabler and Dick Stanfel will be the two senior nominees for induction. 

The announcement means that both Stabler and Stanfel will be one of the 18 finalists for induction next year. The other finalists will be named in January.

Over the next five months, the Hall of Fame Selection Committee will trim a list of about 100 players down to 15 finalists. There will also be one contributor finalist to bring the total to 18. 

To get inducted, a finalist needs to receive at least 80 percent support from the 46-person selection committee. 

Stabler's case has long been a controversial one, with many people believing that he should've already been inducted. The 1974 NFL MVP has been a Hall finalist three times (1990, 1991, 2003), but never made the final cut. 

During a 10-year career with the Raiders, Stabler led the team to a win in Super Bowl XI. Stabler also led the NFL in passing touchdowns twice with the Raiders, before finishing up his career with the Oilers and Saints.

You can read more about Stabler's Hall of Fame case by heading here

Kenny Stabler is a Hall of Fame finalist for the fourth time. (USATSI)
Kenny Stabler is a Hall of Fame finalist for the fourth time. (USATSI)

As for Stanfel, who passed away in June, the former Lions and Redskins offensive lineman will be hoping to get in with credentials that include being named first team All-Pro five times in his seven-year career. 

The 1952 second-round pick was a starter with the Lions until 1955, a four-year span where Stanfel and Lions played in three NFL title games and won two. 

If you're wondering who else might get enshrined in 2016, you can check out our predictions here.