The Pro Football Hall of Fame unveiled their list of 26 modern era players (the result of their being a tie for the 25th spot on the list) that are finalists to be inducted into the class of 2026 this morning.
On the list include:
QB Drew Brees – 1st time as semifinalist, first year eligible
QB Eli Manning – 2nd time as semifinalist, Finalist in 2025
QB Philip Rivers – 1st time as semifinalist, first year eligible
RB Frank Gore – 1st time as semifinalist, first year eligible
RB Fred Taylor – 7th time as semifinalist, Finalist in 2025
WR Larry Fitzgerald – 1st time as semifinalist, first year eligible
WR Torry Holt – 12th time as semifinalist, Finalist in 2025
WR Steve Smith Sr. – 5th time as semifinalist, Finalist in 2025
WR Hines Ward – 10th time as semifinalist
WR Reggie Wayne – 7th time as semifinalist, Finalist in 2025
TE Jason Witten – 1st time as semifinalist, first year eligible
OL Willie Anderson – 6th time as semifinalist, Finalist in 2025
OL Lomas Brown – 1st time as a semifinalist
OL Jahri Evans – 4th time as semifinalist, Finalist in 2025
OL Richmond Webb – 2nd time as semifinalist
OL Steve Wisniewski – 3rd time as semifinalist
OL Marshal Yanda – 2nd time as semifinalist, Finalist in 2025
DL Robert Mathis – 5th time as semifinalist
DL Vince Wilfork – 5th time as semifinalist
DL Kevin Williams – 1st time as semifinalist
LB Luke Kuechly – 2nd time as semifinalist, Finalist in 2025
LB Terrell Suggs – 2nd time as semifinalist, Finalist in 2025
DB Rodney Harrison – 5th time as semifinalist
DB Earl Thomas – 2nd time as semifinalist
DB Darren Woodson – 10th time as semifinalist
K Adam Vinatieri – 2nd time as semifinalist, Finalist in 2025
Lomas Brown and Kevin Williams are the only first time semifinalists that are not in their first year of eligibility. The list was culled form a list of 128 nominees announced in September, and will now be cut to a group of 15 finalists later this year, before being debated along with Coaches, Contributor and Senior nominees in advance of Super Bowl LX. Between four and eight new members will be elected, per the HOF bylaws, announced at NFL Honors show in February, and inducted in Canton next August.
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its a solid list..but as usual the next cutdown to 15 will be brutal–the first year eligible (Brees/Fitz/Witten/Gore?) plus returning 12 finalists from 2025 will fill those 15 slots…going to be real hard for other newbees like Webb or SteveWis (last year as modern candidate) to push through as finalists
Heads up 12/3 we find out who the senior coach and contributor finalists are
Thanks for the new thread Tony.
Still hoping Wiz and Webb find a way Paul but you never know.
Just hoping there is at least a five man class this year but Kraft may cancel out a deserving senior or modern player.
Um Kraft and modern players are separate brian
Yep modern and group of 5 are separate elections – Kraft and or BillB could certainly keep up senior but don’t complete with moderns so no impact there
depends on which three seniors we get am i right paul
Honesty if BillB and Kraft are the finalists who complete with 3 seniors for just 3 slots I frankly don’t think any senior is elected in this class
lets wait and see before that happens no need to rush to any conclusions
Guys I meant the overrall draft class. Even if they get the nominations, it could still be a small class. I would prefer four players and Belichick. Not three players with Belichick and Kraft. The math still has to add up, modern or senior because there might not be a senior elected. Too many divided votes.
I know the seniors/coaches/contributors are seperate from moderns but still hoping for at least five or six overrall inductees. Should have made it more clear.
My prediction for the 15 finalists
Willie Anderson
Drew Brees
Jahri Evans
Larry Fitzgerald
Frank Gore
Torry Holt
Luke Kuechly
Steve Smith Sr
Terrell Suggs
Adam Vinatieri
Reggie Wayne
Kevin Williams
Jason Witten
Darren Woodson
Marshal Yanda
I’m glad Kevin Williams made it
This is going to be a hard list to cut down to 15 finalists
Every prediction we have ever made here is a rush to judgment- that’s the intent
Good list Andy P …
Can Gore advance over Taylor? Could both advance?
I dont feel Williams will advance. Could that help Wiz or Webb?
I still feel Thomas might join Woodson. Hoping Witten advances as the next TE.
It will come down to the receivers. If Wayne or Smith advance it will hurt Holt, though he gets to advance. Fitz is assured.
heres my final 15
Willie Anderson
Drew Brees
Jahiri Evans
Larry Fitzgerald
Frank Gore
Torry Holt
Luke Kuechly
Eli Manning
Terrell Suggs
Adam Vinatieri
Reggie Wayne
Richmond Webb
Steve Wisniewski
Jason Witten
Darren Woodson
Willie Anderson
Drew Brees
Jahri Evans
Larry Fitzgerald
Frank Gore
Torry Holt
Luke Kuechly
Eli Manning
Steve Smith Sr
Terrell Suggs
Adam Vinatieri
Reggie Wayne
Jason Witten
Darren Woodson
Marshal Yanda
I hope ur right on Wiz and Webb … The Greatest
Both you and Paul think Eli will advance … we will see
Eli made final 15 last year so clearly has support among voters-doubt he advances further but since a step back out of final 15
Eli made final 15 last year so clearly has support among voters-doubt he advances further but don’t see a step back out of final 15
Most likely Paul he gets eliminated in the cut down from 15 to 10