The Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2026 race tightened Tuesday as five first-time eligible players — Drew Brees, Larry Fitzgerald, Frank Gore, Philip Rivers and Jason Witten — advanced to the modern-era semifinalist stage. They join 21 returning candidates to form a field of 26 players still in contention for enshrinement.
The reduction follows an initial pool of 128 modern-era nominees that was cut to 52 in October, and then pared down again this week. The list will be narrowed to 15 finalists later this year before the final voting round held ahead of Super Bowl LX. As in each cycle, selectors will ultimately elect between three and five modern-era players, with candidates needing 80 percent support from voters to be chosen. According to Hall guidelines, “Those who receive at least 80% favorable votes will be elected, with a maximum of five and no fewer than three. (Should fewer than three Finalists receive 80% favorable voting, the Finalist(s) closest to that figure would be elected.)”
Brees and Fitzgerald headline the newcomers:
- Brees — second only to Tom Brady in career yardage, completions, attempts and touchdown passes — spent 20 seasons in the NFL, revitalizing New Orleans after joining the Saints in 2006 and delivering the franchise’s first Super Bowl title following the 2009 season. The 13-time Pro Bowler also earned AP Offensive Player of the Year honors twice and remains one of the most accomplished quarterbacks in league history.
- Fitzgerald, drafted third overall in 2004, retired with the second-most receptions and receiving yards ever, trailing only Jerry Rice. A fixture for the Arizona Cardinals over 17 seasons, he topped 1,000 yards nine times and produced a record-setting postseason run in 2008 that helped carry Arizona to its lone Super Bowl appearance.
Rivers, Gore and Witten round out the first-year group. Rivers retired ranked among the league’s most prolific passers. Gore finished third all time in rushing yards after 16 remarkably consistent seasons. Witten stands as one of the most productive tight ends in NFL history.
This year’s semifinalist class remains stacked, with several household names — including Eli Manning, Torry Holt, Steve Smith Sr., Reggie Wayne, Hines Ward, Vince Wilfork, Terrell Suggs, Rodney Harrison, Earl Thomas, Darren Woodson, Willie Anderson, Jahri Evans, Richmond Webb, Kevin Williams, and linebacker Luke Kuechly —pursuing a finalist spot. Kuechly, Anderson, Holt and Adam Vinatieri are guaranteed to reach the final 15 under a new rule granting automatic advancement to players who finished in the top seven of the previous year’s voting but were not elected.
Offensive lineman Lomas Brown and defensive lineman Kevin Williams also reached the semifinal round for the first time. Brown, Kevin Williams, Anderson, Evans, Webb, Steve Wisniewski and Marshal Yanda make up a large contingent of offensive linemen in the process.
In addition to the modern-era selections, finalist announcements for the coach, contributor and seniors categories are set for Dec. 3. When the full group meets during Super Bowl week, 20 candidates — 15 modern-era players, three seniors, one coach and one contributor — will be presented to voters.
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