Quarterbacks Drew Brees and Philip Rivers have made headlines as they lead a distinguished group of semifinalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2026. Joining them are wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald, tight end Jason Witten, and running back Frank Gore. All five players have reached this stage in their first year of eligibility, highlighting their significant contributions to the sport.
The 26 modern era candidates were determined by a full 50-member selection committee. The next step involves narrowing this list to 15 finalists, who will be voted upon before the Super Bowl in February. Among the returning candidates, Willie Anderson, Torry Holt, Luke Kuechly, and Adam Vinatieri have already secured their spots after making it through the final seven players in the previous class.
Notable Achievements of Semifinalists
This year’s semifinalists showcase a wealth of talent and achievement. Drew Brees holds the second-highest passing yards record in NFL history with 80,358 yards and 571 touchdown passes. His career, primarily spent with the New Orleans Saints after five seasons with the San Diego Chargers, culminated in a Super Bowl victory for New Orleans following the 2009 season. Brees was named the game’s MVP, defeating Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts, while earning Pro Bowl selections 13 times.
Similarly, Larry Fitzgerald spent his entire 17-season career with the Arizona Cardinals, where he amassed 1,432 receptions and 17,492 receiving yards, ranking him second all-time, just behind Jerry Rice. Fitzgerald’s standout performance helped the Cardinals reach their only Super Bowl in 2009, where he set postseason records with 546 receiving yards and seven touchdown catches.
Meanwhile, Philip Rivers ranks seventh all-time with 63,440 yards passing. His career, mostly spent with the Chargers, included eight Pro Bowl selections and the 2013 AP Comeback Player of the Year award.
The tight end position is well represented by Jason Witten, whose 1,228 receptions and 13,046 receiving yards make him one of the most prolific players in that role. Witten was recognized as a two-time All-Pro during his time with the Dallas Cowboys.
Frank Gore, a running back with a remarkable career total of 16,000 rushing yards, ranks third all-time. Gore’s tenure includes nine seasons with over 1,000 rushing yards and five Pro Bowl honors, underscoring his durability and skill on the field.
Returning Candidates and Other Semifinalists
Other notable returning finalists include Eli Manning, Fred Taylor, Steve Smith Sr., Reggie Wayne, Jahri Evans, Marshal Yanda, Terrell Suggs, and Darren Woodson.
This year’s semifinalists also feature newcomers Lomas Brown and Kevin Williams, alongside established candidates such as Hines Ward, Richmond Webb, Steve Wisniewski, Rodney Harrison, Earl Thomas, Vince Wilfork, and Robert Mathis.
The selection committee will also evaluate three seniors, one coach, and one contributor for the Class of 2026. Between four and eight new members will be inducted, which follows a trend from the previous year when only four individuals were elected, marking the smallest class in two decades.
As the Hall of Fame selection process unfolds, the contributions of these players to the NFL continue to resonate with fans and analysts alike. The anticipation builds as the committee prepares to finalize the list of inductees for this prestigious honor, reflecting the enduring impact of these athletes on the game.
