Drew Brees, Larry Fitzgerald and eligible players for 2026 Hall of Fame Class | News, scores, highlights, statistics and rumors

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New Orleans, Louisiana -January 10: Drew Brees #9 in New Orleans Saints gives the thumb during an NFL Wild -Card -Fuldbold match against Chicago Bears on January 10, 2021 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)

Cooper Neill/Getty Images

The Pro Football Hall of Fame class in 2025 was revealed on Thursday night, which meant that the list of players justified for induction in 2026 was ready.

Tight end Antonio Gates, defensive end Jared Allen, wide receives Sterling Sharpe and Cornerback Eric Allen made up the 2025 class.

Several former players will now be at the Hall of Fame voice notes for the first time because of the time of their pension, including Drew Brees, Larry Fitzgerald, Philip Rivers and Jason Witten.

Adam Schafter @Adamschaaster

The first time eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame class in 2026 includes:
Larry Fitzgerald
drew Brees
Philip rivers
jason Witten
frank gore
julian Edelman
Murkice pouncy
Lesean McCoy
Thomas Davis
greg Olsen
alex Smith
dez Bryant
stephen gostkowski … pic.twitter.com/5n2vjffog8

Other finalists who could not earn a place in the hall, but can be considered again in 2026 includes Eli Manning, Adam Vinatieri, Steve Smith Sr., Luke Kuechly and Reggie Wayne.

Ari Meirov @MySportSUpdate

The finalists not to make the Hall of Fame this year:
– Eli Manning
– Adam Vinatieri
– Steve Smith Sr.
– Torrry Holt
– Reggie Wayne
– Luke Kuechly
– Fred Taylor
– Terrell SUGGS
– Marshal Yanda
– Darren Woodson
– Jahri Evans
– Willie Anderson

Among the new ones on the ballot, Brees should easily receive the 2026 Hall of Fame Heads.

The 13-time Pro Bowl-Quarterback Ranks No. 2 on each of the NFLs constantly passing yards, passing touchdowns and completion lists. Brees trails only Tom Brady in all three categories.

He led the league in passing yards for seven separate seasons of his 20-year career and won a championship with New Orleans Saints in the 2009 season. Brees was also named the Super Bowl MVP and has two AP offensive player of the year awards under his belt.

Fitzgerald should also not have a hard time getting to Canton, Ohio. He spent his entire 17-year-old career with Arizona Cardinals and earned 11 Pro Bowl choices.

Fitzgerald highlighted his consistency throughout his term of office in Arizona when he recorded his first 1,000-yard season in 2005 and his last in 2017. His 1,432 catches and 17,492 receive yards both rank No. 2 in the NFL story that sits just behind the legendary former Wideout Jerry Rice.

While the Cardinals played only four playoffs with Fitzgerald, he played a crucial role in Arizona’s season 2008, culminating with a trip to the Super Bowl 43.

Meanwhile, Manning exceeds the list of finalists who will try to earn a place in the hall after losing the cut in 2025. He has No. 11 place on the league’s constant passage list and earns four Pro Bowl-Niker.

Manning is also a two-time master who wins the Super Bowl MVP on both occasions.

As the 2025 Hall of Fame class receives recognition, the group 2026 should also contain several deserving candidates.