The Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2026 race is heating up, and this year’s list of Modern Era finalists reads like a who’s who of NFL legends. On December 30, 2025, the Hall unveiled 15 remarkable finalists, headlined by Super Bowl-winning quarterbacks Drew Brees and Eli Manning, the ever-reliable kicker Adam Vinatieri, and electrifying wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald. With the Hall of Fame Selection Committee set to meet just before Super Bowl LX, all eyes are on San Francisco, where the chosen few will be revealed during the NFL Honors broadcast on February 5, 2026.
For Eli Manning, the journey to Canton is especially poignant. The longtime New York Giants quarterback, whose career spanned from 2004 to 2019, is now in his second year as a finalist. Manning’s Hall of Fame candidacy has sparked lively debate in football circles. Despite a .500 regular-season record (117-117), Manning’s postseason heroics are the stuff of legend: two Super Bowl victories, both times earning Super Bowl MVP honors, and four Pro Bowl selections. He finished his career with 57,023 passing yards, 366 touchdowns, and 244 interceptions. According to reports, “Manning was already part of the group of 15 finalists in 2025, but ultimately did not make the cut to the top 10.” Many analysts point to his up-and-down regular seasons as a reason for initial hesitation, but few can dispute his big-game credentials.
Manning isn’t alone in this star-studded field. Drew Brees, a first-time finalist, is widely regarded as one of the most prolific passers in league history. His journey from the San Diego Chargers (2001-05) to becoming a New Orleans Saints icon (2006-20) included breaking numerous passing records and leading the Saints to a Super Bowl XLIV victory. Brees’s statistical dominance and leadership have made his candidacy all but inevitable, yet the committee will still weigh his impact against an equally impressive group of peers.
Another first-ballot hopeful is Larry Fitzgerald, the Arizona Cardinals’ stalwart wide receiver from 2004 to 2020. Fitzgerald’s consistency and professionalism set him apart; he ranks second all-time in career receiving yards and receptions. His longevity and impact on and off the field have made him a model for aspiring wideouts. Meanwhile, running back Frank Gore, who played for five teams over 16 seasons, is also making his first appearance as a finalist. Gore’s durability and productivity—he sits third on the all-time rushing list—are testaments to his work ethic and resilience.
Edge rusher Terrell Suggs, another new finalist, terrorized quarterbacks for the Baltimore Ravens, Arizona Cardinals, and Kansas City Chiefs across 17 seasons. His blend of power and agility made him a constant threat off the edge, and his leadership helped anchor some of the league’s stingiest defenses. According to the Hall of Fame’s official list, “The 2026 Modern-Era Finalists (positions, years and teams)” include a mix of offensive and defensive standouts, each with a unique claim to football immortality.
Some familiar faces return for another shot at enshrinement. Willie Anderson, a right tackle who spent most of his career with the Cincinnati Bengals, is back as a finalist for the fifth time. Torry Holt, the dynamic wide receiver with the St. Louis Rams’ “Greatest Show on Turf,” is a finalist for the seventh time. Holt’s 920 career receptions, 13,382 receiving yards, and 74 touchdowns, along with eight consecutive seasons with at least 80 catches, make his omission from the Hall so far a source of consternation among Rams fans. Fellow wideout Reggie Wayne, who helped the Indianapolis Colts to a Super Bowl XLI win, is also in his seventh year as a finalist.
Adam Vinatieri, perhaps the most clutch kicker in NFL history, is another returning finalist. His game-winning kicks in multiple Super Bowls for the New England Patriots and later the Indianapolis Colts have become iconic moments in NFL lore. Vinatieri’s longevity—spanning from 1996 to 2019—and his uncanny ability to deliver under pressure have kept his name in the conversation for years. Four players who reached the Final 7 for the Class of 2025—Anderson, Holt, Luke Kuechly, and Vinatieri—were automatically advanced to the 2026 class, giving them another shot at football’s highest honor.
First-time finalists also include Jason Witten, the Dallas Cowboys’ legendary tight end, and defensive tackle Kevin Williams, who anchored the Minnesota Vikings’ line for over a decade. Witten’s reliability and leadership made him a fan favorite in Dallas, while Williams’s disruptive presence earned him six Pro Bowl nods. Frank Gore and Witten highlight the depth of talent among this year’s first-timers, each having left a lasting imprint on the game.
The selection process is as rigorous as ever. Up to five Modern Era players can be elected, but each must secure at least 80% of the committee’s votes. The list of 15 will be trimmed to seven, from which the final group of inductees will be chosen. According to Hall bylaws, between four and eight total enshrinees can be elected in a given year, including Modern Era, Senior, Coach, and Contributor categories. This year’s Senior category finalists include Ken Anderson, Roger Craig, and L.C. Greenwood, while legendary coach Bill Belichick and New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft are also up for consideration as coach and contributor finalists, respectively. A maximum of three of these five can be elected.
For Giants fans, Manning’s candidacy is just one part of a larger narrative. The team is in the midst of a transition, with rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart showing promise and a new head coach search underway. Yet Manning’s legacy continues to loom large in New York, where his playoff exploits and leadership are still celebrated. As the Hall of Fame committee debates his merits, his supporters point to his postseason magic, while skeptics cite his regular-season record. It’s a debate that’s sure to continue right up until the announcement.
As the countdown to Super Bowl LX and the NFL Honors broadcast continues, anticipation is building. Will this be the year that Eli Manning, Drew Brees, Larry Fitzgerald, and others finally get their gold jackets? Or will the committee surprise with a different slate of inductees? One thing’s for sure: the 2026 Hall of Fame class is shaping up to be one of the most hotly contested—and eagerly awaited—in recent memory.
With a blend of legendary quarterbacks, game-changing skill players, and defensive stalwarts, the Hall of Fame’s latest finalists represent the very best of pro football’s storied past. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely as the Selection Committee makes its choices, knowing that for these gridiron greats, immortality is just one vote away.
