Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2026 Finalists Revealed
The Pro Football Hall of Fame announced the finalists for the Class of 2026, with two-time Super Bowl MVP Eli Manning being one of the contenders for the second consecutive year. Manning is joined by first-year eligible finalists Drew Brees, Larry Fitzgerald, Frank Gore, and Jason Witten. The list of 15 modern-era finalists also includes players like Willie Anderson, Torry Holt, Luke Kuechly, and Adam Vinatieri, who automatically progressed to this stage. Additionally, there are returning finalists from last year and a player in his sixth year of eligibility, defensive tackle Kevin Williams.
The full Hall of Fame selection committee will vote on the 15 modern-era candidates before the Super Bowl, with the possibility of electing up to five players for the Class of 2026. The candidates need at least 80% approval from the committee to be inducted. Bill Belichick, the former head coach of the New England Patriots, and Patriots owner Robert Kraft are also under consideration for induction. In the Seniors category, finalists include Ken Anderson, Roger Craig, and L.C. Greenwood, with a minimum of one and a maximum of three individuals being elected from the combined categories of Coach, Contributor, and Seniors.
The Class of 2026 will be announced on Feb. 5 at "NFL Honors" in San Francisco and enshrined in Canton in August. Drew Brees, second in career passing yards and touchdown passes behind Tom Brady, had a successful career with the Chargers and Saints, winning a Super Bowl with New Orleans. Eli Manning, a two-time Super Bowl MVP, had a prolific career with the New York Giants, while Larry Fitzgerald spent his entire career with the Arizona Cardinals, ranking second all-time in catches and receiving yards.
The list of modern-era finalists for the Class of 2026 includes notable players like Willie Anderson, Drew Brees, Larry Fitzgerald, Frank Gore, Torry Holt, Luke Kuechly, Eli Manning, Terrell Suggs, Adam Vinatieri, Reggie Wayne, Kevin Williams, Jason Witten, Darren Woodson, and Marshal Yanda. The final inductees will be determined by the full Hall of Fame selection committee, with the announcement set for February.