Drew Brees and Larry Fitzgerald Headline Elite 2026 Hall of Fame Class

Canton, Friday, 6 February 2026.
The National Football League solidified a historic era of offensive dominance on Thursday, announcing the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2026 during the NFL Honors in San Francisco. Headlined by first-ballot selections Drew Brees and Larry Fitzgerald, the class underscores the statistical explosion of the 21st-century passing game. In a significant milestone for special teams, Adam Vinatieri becomes just the third kicker in history to receive a gold jacket, validating his status as the position’s all-time leading scorer. The evening also delivered long-awaited justice for San Francisco 49ers legend Roger Craig, who enters as a senior finalist after a 28-year delay. While the induction of these five titans—including linebacker Luke Kuechly—celebrates on-field excellence, the continued exclusion of coaching legend Bill Belichick provides a controversial analytical backdrop to an otherwise celebratory milestone in league history.