At a Glance
- 15 modern-era finalists named for the 2026 Hall of Fame class
- Stars include Drew Brees, Larry Fitzgerald, and Adam Vinatieri
- Five players already earned a spot from last year’s voting
- Why it matters: Fans now know which legends are close to enshrining and how the Hall’s voting process works
The NFL has released the 15 modern-era finalists for its 2026 Hall of Fame class, a mix of veterans and first-time candidates that sets the stage for the upcoming enshrinement ceremony. The announcement follows the league’s tradition of honoring players who have left an indelible mark on the game.
Who Made the List
The list contains 15 players, including four automatic qualifiers from last year’s voting, six other finalists, four first-year eligible candidates, and one first-time finalist in his sixth year of eligibility. The selection committee can elect up to five modern-era players, and a player must receive at least 80% positive votes to be inducted.
| Player | Position | Teams (Years) | Finalist Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Willie Anderson | Offensive tackle | Cincinnati Bengals (1996-07), Baltimore Ravens (2008) | Fifth year |
| Drew Brees | Quarterback | San Diego Chargers (2001-05), New Orleans Saints (2006-20) | First year |
| Jahri Evans | Offensive guard | New Orleans Saints (2006-16), Green Bay Packers (2017) | Third year |
| Larry Fitzgerald | Wide receiver | Arizona Cardinals (2004-20) | First year |
| Frank Gore | Running back | San Francisco 49ers (2005-14), Indianapolis Colts (2015-17), Miami Dolphins (2018), Buffalo Bills (2019), New York Jets (2020) | First year |
| Torry Holt | Wide receiver | St. Louis Rams (1999-08), Jacksonville Jaguars (2009) | Seventh year |
| Luke Kuechly | Linebacker | Carolina Panthers (2012-19) | Second year |
| Eli Manning | Quarterback | New York Giants (2004-19) | Second year |
| Terrell Suggs | Outside linebacker / defensive end | Baltimore Ravens (2003-18), Arizona Cardinals (2019), Kansas City Chiefs (2019) | Second year |
| Adam Vinatieri | Kicker | New England Patriots (1996-05), Indianapolis Colts (2006-19) | Second year |
| Reggie Wayne | Wide receiver | Indianapolis Colts (2001-14) | Seventh year |
| Kevin Williams | Defensive tackle | Minnesota Vikings (2003-13), Seattle Seahawks (2014), New Orleans Saints (2015) | First year (sixth eligibility) |
| Jason Witten | Tight end | Dallas Cowboys (2003-17, 2019), Las Vegas Raiders (2020) | First year |
| Darren Woodson | Safety | Dallas Cowboys (1992-03) | Fourth year |
| Marshal Yanda | Offensive guard / tackle | Baltimore Ravens (2007-19) | Second year |
Other finalists in separate categories include senior candidates Kenny Anderson, Roger Craig, and L.C. Greenwood; coach Bill Belichick; and contributor Robert Kraft.
Voting Process & Ceremony
The selection committee may elect up to five modern-era players, each requiring a minimum of 80% positive votes. Separate voting applies to the senior, coach, and contributor categories, with a minimum of one and a maximum of three inductees per group. The 2026 class will be announced at NFL Honors in San Francisco on Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026, ahead of Super Bowl LX, and inductees will be enshrined in August at the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio.
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Feb. 5, 2026 | NFL Honors announcement |
| Aug. 2026 | Enshrinement ceremony |
Key Takeaways
- 15 modern-era finalists, including Drew Brees and Larry Fitzgerald, have been named for the 2026 Hall of Fame class.
- Five players already earned a spot from last year’s voting; the committee can select up to five inductees.
- The 2026 class will be announced on Feb. 5, 2026, with enshrinement in August.
The NFL’s announcement brings fans closer to seeing which legends will join the Hall of Fame’s storied ranks and highlights the rigorous voting standards that preserve the institution’s prestige.
