At a Glance
- 15 modern-era players named as finalists for the Class of 2026
- Four automatic picks, six carry-over finalists, four first-year eligible candidates, and one sixth-year first-time nominee
- Announcement will be made at NFL Honors on Feb. 5 2026, with enshrinement in August 2026
Why it matters: Fans and players will know who is in line for Hall of Fame glory, and the list highlights the most celebrated careers of the modern era.
The NFL and Pro Football Hall of Fame released a list of 15 modern-era finalists for the Class of 2026, revealing a mix of automatic selections, carry-overs, first-year candidates, and a rare sixth-year first-time nominee.
Finalists Overview
The group includes a diverse set of positions-from offensive tackles to quarterbacks-and spans careers that began in the 1990s and continue into the 2020s.
- Willie Anderson, offensive tackle – Cincinnati Bengals (1996-07), Baltimore Ravens (2008) – fifth year as a finalist
- Drew Brees, quarterback – San Diego Chargers (2001-05), New Orleans Saints (2006-20) – first year of eligibility
- Jahri Evans, offensive guard – New Orleans Saints (2006-16), Green Bay Packers (2017) – third year as a finalist
- Larry Fitzgerald, wide receiver – Arizona Cardinals (2004-20) – first year of eligibility
- 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 of eligibility
- Torry Holt, wide receiver – St. Louis Rams (1999-08), Jacksonville Jaguars (2009) – seventh year as a finalist
- Luke Kuechly, linebacker – Carolina Panthers (2012-19) – second year as a finalist
- Eli Manning, quarterback – New York Giants (2004-19) – second year as a finalist
- Terrell Suggs, outside linebacker/defensive end – Baltimore Ravens (2003-18), Arizona Cardinals (2019), Kansas City Chiefs (2019) – second year as a finalist
- Adam Vinatieri, kicker – New England Patriots (1996-05), Indianapolis Colts (2006-19) – second year as a finalist
- Reggie Wayne, wide receiver – Indianapolis Colts (2001-14) – seventh year as a finalist
- Kevin Williams, defensive tackle – Minnesota Vikings (2003-13), Seattle Seahawks (2014), New Orleans Saints (2015) – first year as a finalist (sixth year of eligibility)
- Jason Witten, tight end – Dallas Cowboys (2003-17, 2019), Las Vegas Raiders (2020) – first year of eligibility
- Darren Woodson, safety – Dallas Cowboys (1992-03) – fourth year as a finalist
- Marshal Yanda, offensive guard/tackle – Baltimore Ravens (2007-19) – second year as a finalist
Selection Process & Voting
The selection committee may elect up to five modern-era players. A player must receive at least 80 % positive votes to be inducted.
- Four automatic picks due to last year’s voting
- Six carry-over finalists from last year
- Four first-year eligible candidates
- One first-time finalist in his sixth year of eligibility
Timeline & Ceremony
The Class of 2026 will be announced at NFL Honors in San Francisco on Feb. 5 2026, ahead of Super Bowl LX. Inductees will be formally enshrined in August 2026 at the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Announcement at NFL Honors | Feb. 5 2026 |
| Enshrinement at Hall of Fame | August 2026 |
Key Takeaways
- 15 modern-era finalists have been named for the Class of 2026.
- The list includes automatic picks, carry-overs, first-year nominees, and a sixth-year first-time nominee.
- Induction will be announced on Feb. 5 2026 and enshrined in August 2026.
With the list now public, the NFL community can celebrate the achievements of these players as the Hall of Fame gears up for the next class.
