Nine of this year’s 15 modern-era finalists for enshrinement in the Pro Football Hall of Fame are first- or second-year eligible players.
Drew Brees and Larry Fitzgerald highlight the list of first-year eligible candidates, which is rounded out by Frank Gore and Jason Witten.
Second-year eligibles up for enshrinement include Luke Kuechly, Eli Manning, Terrell Suggs, Adam Vinatieri and Marshal Yanda.
The modern-era candidate list includes:
| Name | Pos | Yrs played | Teams |
| Willie Anderson | T | 1996-08 | Cincinnati and Baltimore |
| Drew Brees | QB | 2001-20 | San Diego, New Orleans |
| Jahri Evans | G | 2006-17 | New Orleans, Green Bay |
| Larry Fitzgerald | WR | 2004-20 | Arizona |
| Frank Gore | RB | 2005-20 | San Francisco, Indianapolis, Miami, Buffalo, NY Jets |
| Torry Holt | WR | 1998-08 | St. Louis, Jacksonville |
| Luke Kuechly | LB | 2012-19 | Carolina |
| Eli Manning | QB | 2004-19 | NY Giants |
| Terrell Suggs | LB/DE | 2003-18 | Baltimore, Arizona, Kansas City |
| Adam Vinatieri | K | 1996-2019 | New England, Indianapolis |
| Reggie Wayne | WR | 2001-14 | Indianapolis |
| Kevin Williams | DT | 2003-15 | Minnesota, Seattle, New Orleans |
| Jason Witten | TE | 2003-20 | Dallas, Las Vegas |
| Darren Woodson | S | 1992-2003 | Dallas |
| Marshal Yanda | G/T | 2007-19 | Baltimore |
How many can be selected?
Players are eligible for modern era enshrinement if they have been out of the game between five and 20 years. The slate of candidates in the modern-era Players category will be considered when the Hall of Fame’s Selection Committee meets prior to Super Bowl LX. The Class of 2026 will be unveiled publicly Feb. 5 during the “NFL Honors presented by Invisalign” broadcast.
The Selection Committee may elect up to five modern-era Players for the Class of 2026; each must receive a minimum positive vote of 80 percent for election.
Five others – Senior category finalists Ken Anderson, Roger Craig and L.C. Greenwood, Coaching category finalist Bill Belichick and Contributor candidate Robert Kraft – also are candidates for the 2026 class. They’ll be voted on separately, with a minimum of one and a maximum of three being elected under the Hall’s bylaws.
While there is no set number for any class of Enshrinees, the Hall of Fame’s current selection process bylaws stipulate that between four and eight new members shall be selected.
The Finalists in the Modern-Era Players category were determined by the Hall’s independent Selection Committee from a list that originated with 128 nominees. It was reduced two other times (to 52 nominees and to 26 Semifinalists) before the cut to the 15 Finalists.
The Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2026 will be announced at “NFL Honors” in San Francisco in February and will be enshrined in August in Canton.
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Disappointed SteveWis didn’t advance last year as modern candidate(but that was long shot hope),also unfortunate Webb isn’t a finalists,good news for KWilliams and overall it’s a very good 15,for 3-4 elected would say Brees Fitz are locks,with AdamV LukeK,maybe WAnderson Woodson
BTW currently in Mexico on vacation so won’t be able to contribute more here until Friday
Happy new year all!
Thanks Andy and Tony … haha
Have fun Paul …
With this new thread, I will comment on the postseason, NFL news, etc, on the previous thread.
Class Of 2026
Wishlist
Brees
Kuechly
Witten
Woodson
Belichick
Craig
Prediction
Brees
Fitzgerald
Kuechly
Belichick
Kraft
brian from what ive read there isnt a consenus on whether kraft will be elected but i do think at least 1 senior will be elected if we didnt elect any that would be a disaster
I prefer Anderson, Craig and Greenwood to either Kraft or Belichick, I think, at least without studying it a bit more closely.
From the modern candidates, Brees and Fitzgerald feel like locks to me and I like them both for enshrinement. Beyond that … kind of a hodgepodge of “I guess that would be fine.”
andy i think there could be a split with belichick and kraft one gets in this year one gets in next year and which senior would i elect either anderson or greenwood
I posted this on the Semifinalist listing but since these are now the official finalist, I am reposting them here with the number behind how many times a finalist:
2026 Class of 2026 Modern Era Finalists:
Willie Anderson (5)
Drew Brees (1)
Jahri Evans (3)
Larry Fritzgerald (1)
Frank Gore (1)
Torry Holt (7)
Luke Kuechy (2)
Eli Manning (2)
Terrell Suggs (2)
Adam Vinatieri (2)
Reggie Wayne (7)
Kevin Williams (1)
Jason Witten (1)
Darren Woodson (4)
Marshal Yanda (2)
First feelings, I am stoked for Kevin Williams, weather he makes it or not! He was not even a semifinalist last year, but I have advocating for him for years and never understood why he was being snubbed.
I think Brees and Fritz are locks, and really, really it is time to clean up the backlogged que. Holt, Wayne and Anderson need to have consideration, the times are finalists are way overdue!
That would be my class with Woodson, Kuechy and Vinatieri as the last three not elected. For the Seniors and C/C, I would go with BB, Ken Anderson and Roger Craig. NO to Kraft.
Most likely will not happen, but Anderson and Craig have waited long enough too!
*** My final Class of 2026***
Drew Brees
Larry Fitzgerald
Torry Holt
Luke Kuechly
Bill Bilichick
Roger Craig
Ken Anderson
I would Willie Anderson too, if 5 moderns could all go in. Then two Seniors and BB.
My thoughts
I got 14 out of 15
I’m glad Kevin Williams made it as a finalist
I’m surprised Steve Wisniewski didn’t make it his last year
I’m also surprised Richmond Webb didn’t make it the voters better hurry up and make him a finalist before he gets sent to the senior abyss
The voters have got to clear the wide receivers logjam
This was a hard list to cut down to 15 finalists and this is gonna be an even harder vote because all the finalists are worthy
@Brian – I may still try to get a playoff article published…although we’ve done a lot less content related to current happenings in the league the last couple of years. Happy to have comments wherever, though.
Thanks Tony … if you guys want to discuss, speculate on playoff spreads, I am game. Wanting to take Baltimore this week but only if Jackson plays. The Ravens will milk the speculation …
Thanks Robert, we cant discount Greenwood getting so close. We just need to see if its time for Kraft, though no one wants to see him get in over a senior. Like Paul said, once he is in, hopefully that enables the committees to get away from owner driven campaigns, though Andy would be happy to see Murchison gain momentum.
At least with Witten making the final 15, we know he probably isnt going to wait too long for eventual induction. If I were a voter, I would put him in first and let Gronk go in with Brady …
Brian I hope so too I would love to see Clint Murchison gain momentum Rob Gronkowski has got to get in before Tom Brady I’ve got a statement ready that I’m planning to say for when Tom Brady’ is announced as a Hall of Famer in 2028 at NFL Honors
You can now join your boyhood hero (Joe Montana) your owner (Robert Kraft) your head coach (Bill Belichick) and your tight end (Rob Gronkowski)
I understand Andy … at least if Gronk waited till going in with Brady, more of the queue could get voted in like Marie said, especially Holt, Woodson, Wayne or Anderson. Hopefully next year–after another small class–the rules change again so the 2027 class is even larger with at least two seniors joining as well.
Wishful thinking I know, but there will be grumbling if we get another five or less class again …
Unfortunately Webb is doomed to the seniors pool as a player advancing first time into finalist round during last year on modern ballot don’t get elected. Like Albert Lewis (and unlike Sam Mills, Eric Allen and likely Darren Woodson) voters left it too late when should have been advancing him starting a few years ago
Brian I hope so because too many seniors are left out you know who else would be happy to see Clint Murchison gain momentum Rick Gosselin Charean Williams and Gary Myers (who used to cover the Cowboys) I swear if we get another small class I’m not going to Canton in 2028 for Tom Brady’s Hall of Fame induction I’m done with the Pro Football Hall of Fame
Paul I’m afraid you may be right
Yes you will go in 2028, Andy …
You know this will be a small class, but you will go like you planned and enjoy it. Its a great place if you have never visited … Just relax and enjoy the NEW YEAR !!
If youre reading Tony and Andy … give me your gut instinct if you please … Will the Ravens cover a -3.5 point spread against the Steelers? Asking for a friend … haha
Brian your right I’ll try let’s just see what happens this year
I’ll just say this running the Pro Football Hall of Fame isn’t easy and neither is the National Baseball Hall of Fame
@Brian – My gut instinct is that the Ravens cover that 3.5, especially if Jackson plays.
But your friend should also know that the most successful day of sports betting I ever had in Vegas was the day every parlay I played was me going against my gut instincts.
Thanks Tony … yeah, I took the plunge on the Ravens but would be happy if Rodgers could make the playoffs again, just to show he can still win a big game …
I try not to do parlays anymore, if I do, its no more than two games. Damn hard to win …
Election meeting (virtual) will be on January 13th but don’t expect any updates or announcements from Hall – although we might see some voters posting about meeting (not specifics) just that is was held. Hall typically goes silent until results are announced on NFL
honors show on Feb 5th
Paul do you agree with me this was a hard list to cut down to 15 and this is gonna be an even harder vote because all the finalists are worthy
Andy at least the baseball hall of fame seperates their veteran candidates into different eras
I think it’s hard every year to cut down
Robert I know that I also follow the National Baseball Hall of Fame
Paul totally
As 2025 NFL season comes to close we wait and see which of these future PFHOF contenders retire (and would be eligible for class of 2031): Aaron Rodgers,Von Miller,Travis Kelce,TWilliams,Bobby Wagner,Deandre Hopkins,Calais Campbell,Cameron Jordan
and here are few other possibilities (most are far less likely to ever be PFHOFers)
LB Lavonte David (TB), S Harrison Smith (MIN), OG Joel Bitonio (CLE), DT Cameron Heyward (PITT)
and a very interesting case in WR/PR Tyreek Hill (KC/MIA?), coming off major injury…
of course will likely be months, even right up until start of 2026 that we have confirmed list of newest retirements…as likely many end up returning to play
On Sunday Von Miller got his 9th sack of 2025 (most since 2021) and which career wise gets him to 138.5 total, 9th tied with DeMarcus Ware on official list-locking him in as a serious contender for first ballot election with a 3(4)/8/DROY/all decade/2SBs/SB MVP resume
Despite a down year, I think Cam Heyward has more a chance to make the HOF than Cam Jordan but we will see.
Of that overall list Paul, I believe all of them will be back next year,
including Rodgers, Kelce, Wagner, Miller and Williams. Campbell and Jordan could retire, but I feel Campbell will want to play and mentor Nolan for a new HC. Jordan may likely go to a contending team.
The way this Chiefs team ended their season, I feel Kelce will be back for Reid and Mahomes. It would surprise me if Reid wouldnt let him come back. Losing like that, cant sit well with him but he has a wedding to think about.
They way Leonard played yesterday, you have to wonder if the Colts should have let Rivers mentor him, instead of vaulting ahead as starter?
I admire what Rivers did, but it was also a slap in the face to Leonard, who was professional about it. Now, teams are thinking about Rivers as an assistant or even HC, which I felt was part of his motivation all along.
I mistexted about Rivers. I meant a slap in the face to Leonard about/from Colts coaching/management, allowing Rivers to start ahead of him, not Rivers himself, who helped him out.
Chiefs face a very uncertain future and tough rebuild, not so sure at age 36 not sure Kelce wants to be part of that and perhaps even Chiefs are ready to move on there..my guess is that of all the big names I mentioned he is the most likely to retire
Harbaugh is out in Baltimore. If he decides not to ever coach again, Will he make the HOF?
I suspect he’ll have a new job even heading into next year, so my guess is this is moot at this point …
Twelfth all-time in wins, right behind guys like Marty Schottenheimer… A few seasons behind guys like Chuck Noll… Has a Super Bowl win…
My hunch is that he’d be seen as a borderline guy right now, but that if he takes another job and has a handful of pretty good seasons he’ll have a pretty good shot.
I miss Talk of Fame and I know I’m not the only one
Yea was perhaps the best and most frequent source of insights on the Hall election process-I am not aware of current efforts to bring it back.
and amazing that we are just 4 weeks away from announcement of class of 2026-last several months in the election steps seems to have just flown by….
reminder virtual meeting of voters is next Tuesday (13th) not that Hall will announce or post about it in advance, during or after as they now pretty much go silent on the class election process, but could hear from a few voters (not specifics but just that election occurred) who are active on social media…otherwise we wait until official announcement on NFL Honors show Feb 5th