Full Breakdown
Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2026 Finalists Announced
12/30/2025, 11:08:24 PM
Overview of the Finalists
The Pro Football Hall of Fame has announced its 15 modern-era finalists for the Class of 2026, revealing a competitive group of former NFL stars. The finalists include notable names such as quarterbacks Drew Brees and Eli Manning, wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald, and tight end Jason Witten, all of whom are first-time candidates for enshrinement. The selection committee will meet before Super Bowl LX to vote on these candidates, with the results to be revealed on February 5, 2026, during the NFL Honors ceremony in San Francisco.
List of Modern-Era Finalists
The 15 modern-era finalists are:
- Drew Brees (Quarterback, San Diego Chargers 2001-2005, New Orleans Saints 2006-2020)
- Eli Manning (Quarterback, New York Giants 2004-2019)
- Larry Fitzgerald (Wide Receiver, Arizona Cardinals 2004-2020)
- Jason Witten (Tight End, Dallas Cowboys 2003-2017, 2019; Las Vegas Raiders 2020)
- Frank Gore (Running Back, San Francisco 49ers 2005-2014, Indianapolis Colts 2015-2017, Miami Dolphins 2018, Buffalo Bills 2019, New York Jets 2020)
- Willie Anderson (Offensive Tackle, Cincinnati Bengals 1996-2007, Baltimore Ravens 2008)
- Jahri Evans (Guard, New Orleans Saints 2006-2016, Green Bay Packers 2017)
- Torry Holt (Wide Receiver, St. Louis Rams 1999-2008, Jacksonville Jaguars 2009)
- Luke Kuechly (Linebacker, Carolina Panthers 2012-2019)
- Terrell Suggs (Outside Linebacker/Defensive End, Baltimore Ravens 2003-2018, Arizona Cardinals 2019, Kansas City Chiefs 2019)
- Adam Vinatieri (Kicker, New England Patriots 1996-2005, Indianapolis Colts 2006-2019)
- Reggie Wayne (Wide Receiver, Indianapolis Colts 2001-2014)
- Kevin Williams (Defensive Tackle, Minnesota Vikings 2003-2013, Seattle Seahawks 2014, New Orleans Saints 2015)
- Darren Woodson (Safety, Dallas Cowboys 1992-2003)
- Marshal Yanda (Guard/Tackle, Baltimore Ravens 2007-2019)
Selection Process
The Hall of Fame's selection committee, consisting of 50 members, will evaluate these finalists. Candidates must receive at least 80% of the votes to be inducted. The committee can elect up to five modern-era players, while separate voting will determine candidates from the seniors, coach, and contributor categories, which include Ken Anderson, Roger Craig, L.C. Greenwood, Bill Belichick, and Robert Kraft.
Significance of the Candidates
Drew Brees, who ranks second in NFL history with 80,358 passing yards and 571 touchdown passes, is widely regarded as a lock for induction. He led the New Orleans Saints to their first Super Bowl victory in 2010 and was named the game's MVP. Eli Manning, known for his two Super Bowl wins against Tom Brady's New England Patriots, is also a strong contender. Larry Fitzgerald, with 1,432 receptions and 17,492 receiving yards, ranks second all-time in both categories.
Jason Witten, a prolific tight end, is recognized for his durability and production, while Frank Gore's longevity and third-place ranking in all-time rushing yards solidify his candidacy. Willie Anderson and Jahri Evans are notable for their contributions to their respective offensive lines, and the inclusion of players like Torry Holt and Adam Vinatieri highlights the depth of talent among the finalists.
Conclusion
The Class of 2026 promises to be a significant one for the Pro Football Hall of Fame, with a mix of first-time candidates and returning finalists. As the selection committee prepares for its deliberations, the anticipation builds for the announcement of the newest inductees, set to take place during the NFL Honors ceremony on February 5, 2026.
