The Pro Football Hall of Fame announced on December 30 that former stars Drew Brees, Larry Fitzgerald, and Frank Gore are among the 15 modern-era finalists for induction into the prestigious institution. This group, consisting of elite players from the National Football League (NFL), will be evaluated for their contributions to the sport.
Joining Brees, Fitzgerald, and Gore in this distinguished category are notable names such as Willie Anderson, Jahri Evans, Torry Holt, Luke Kuechly, Eli Manning, Terrell Suggs, Adam Vinatieri, Reggie Wayne, Kevin Williams, Jason Witten, Darren Woodson, and Marshal Yanda. The finalists were selected from a pool of 26 semifinalists, which was revealed on November 25.
Notably absent from the finalists are former players Philip Rivers, Hines Ward, Steve Smith Sr., and Earl Thomas, who were among the semifinalists but did not advance to the final 15. Rivers, who recently returned from retirement to play for the Indianapolis Colts, and Smith, a former wide receiver for the Carolina Panthers, both garnered attention during their careers but will have to wait for future opportunities.
The Hall of Fame selection committee will convene to deliberate on these finalists, with the decisions set to be announced on February 5 during the NFL Honors ceremony in San Francisco. The committee has the authority to elect up to five modern-era players for the class of 2026, with each candidate requiring at least an 80% favorable vote for induction.
In addition to the modern-era finalists, the Hall of Fame also recognizes candidates in the seniors category. This year, New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, former Patriots coach Bill Belichick, Kenny Anderson, Roger Craig, and L.C. Greenwood have been nominated. The voting for this group is conducted separately, and at least one candidate must be elected, with a cap of three.
The path to the current list of modern-era finalists began with an extensive nomination process, starting with 128 candidates. This number was subsequently narrowed down to 52 before the announcement of the semifinalists.
As the anticipation builds for the induction ceremony, fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see which players will ultimately be honored for their remarkable contributions to professional football. The 2026 class promises to celebrate some of the most talented athletes in the history of the sport.
