Drew Brees and Larry Fitzgerald Headline 15 Modern-Era Finalists for 2026 Hall of Fame

Canton, Tuesday, 30 December 2025.
The Pro Football Hall of Fame has announced the 15 Modern-Era Player Finalists for the Class of 2026, a group defined by extraordinary offensive production. First-ballot nominees Drew Brees, Larry Fitzgerald, Frank Gore, and Jason Witten headline the list, bringing immense statistical achievements to the selection debate. In a notable twist of eligibility rules, quarterback Philip Rivers remains excluded from consideration this cycle due to his return to active play with the Indianapolis Colts in 2025. The finalists, including returning contenders like Eli Manning and Adam Vinatieri, must secure 80 percent of the Selection Committee’s vote when they meet prior to Super Bowl LX. The official class will be revealed on February 5, 2026, during the “NFL Honors” broadcast in San Francisco.