15 Modern-Era Players Named Finalists for 2026 Hall of Fame Class
Fifteen prominent players from the National Football League (NFL) have been named finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Modern-Era Players category for the Class of 2026. The announcement was made today.
Key Players in the Running for Enshrinement
This year’s finalists include notable names who have made significant contributions to the league over their careers. Among them are:
- Willie Anderson, Tackle – 1996-2007 Cincinnati Bengals, 2008 Baltimore Ravens
- Drew Brees, Quarterback – 2001-2005 San Diego Chargers, 2006-2020 New Orleans Saints
- Jahri Evans, Guard – 2006-2016 New Orleans Saints, 2017 Green Bay Packers
- Larry Fitzgerald, Wide Receiver – 2004-2020 Arizona Cardinals
- Frank Gore, Running Back – 2005-2020 with multiple teams
- Torry Holt, Wide Receiver – 1999-2009 with St. Louis Rams, 2009 Jacksonville Jaguars
- Luke Kuechly, Linebacker – 2012-2019 Carolina Panthers
- Eli Manning, Quarterback – 2004-2019 New York Giants
- Terrell Suggs, Outside Linebacker – 2003-2019 with different teams
- Adam Vinatieri, Kicker – 1996-2019 with New England Patriots and Indianapolis Colts
- Reggie Wayne, Wide Receiver – 2001-2014 Indianapolis Colts
- Kevin Williams, Defensive Tackle – 2003-2015 with several teams
- Jason Witten, Tight End – 2003-2020 with Dallas Cowboys and Las Vegas Raiders
- Darren Woodson, Safety – 1992-2003 Dallas Cowboys
- Marshal Yanda, Guard/Tackle – 2007-2019 Baltimore Ravens
Selection Process and Voting Details
The Hall of Fame’s Selection Committee will evaluate these finalists before Super Bowl LX. The official announcement of the Class of 2026 will occur on February 5 during the “NFL Honors” show in San Francisco. This event will be televised on NBC and NFL Network, and streamed on Peacock and NFL+.
The Selection Committee can induct up to five Modern-Era players, requiring at least 80% of votes for approval. Additionally, a separate group of candidates includes figures from the Seniors category and one Coach and Contributor finalist.
Voting Procedures
The voting process for these candidates will be managed by Ernst & Young LLP, who have worked with the Hall of Fame since 2019. Their responsibilities include validating and counting the ballots as per established guidelines.
Final Thoughts
The selection of the Class of 2026 highlights the commitment of the Pro Football Hall of Fame to honor football excellence and preserve its rich history. With the finalists now chosen, anticipation builds for the upcoming announcement.
