Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of '26 trimmed to 52

Field Level Media|published: Wed 22nd October, 13:17 2025

Oct 5, 2025; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Former New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees smiles prior to the game against the New York Giants at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Hinton-Imagn Images

The Pro Football Hall of Fame reduced its Class of 2026 to 52 potential inductees, with the process now headed to the full selection committee.

Between four and eight new members will ultimately be selected from the list of modern-era players for enshrinement in August at Canton, Ohio.

As the process proceeds to the semifinals, candidates next will be reduced to 25 plus ties. According to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, that step will be announced "in about five weeks."

Offensive lineman Willie Anderson, wide receiver Torry Holt, linebacker Luke Kuechly and kicker Adam Vinatieri have already advanced to the final 15 candidates of the current election cycle after finishing in the final list of seven for the 2025 class.

The 52 modern-era players currently under Hall of Fame consideration:

Quarterbacks: Drew Brees, Eli Manning, Philip Rivers.

Running backs: Warrick Dunn, Eddie George, Frank Gore, Marshawn Lynch, LeSean McCoy, Lorenzo Neal (FB), Fred Taylor, Ricky Watters.

Wide receivers: Anquan Boldin, Larry Fitzgerald, Torry Holt, Jimmy Smith, Steve Smith Sr., Hines Ward, Reggie Wayne.

Tight ends: Greg Olsen, Jason Witten.

Offensive linemen: Willie Anderson (T), Lomas Brown (T), Ruben Brown (G), Jahri Evans (G), Olin Kreutz (C), Nick Mangold (C), Logan Mankins (G), Maurkice Pouncey (C), Richmond Webb (T), Erik Williams (T), Steve Wisniewski (G), Marshal Yanda (G).

Defensive linemen: John Abraham (DE/LB), Robert Mathis (DE), Haloti Ngata (DT), Simeon Rice (DE), Vince Wilfork (DT/NT), Kevin Williams (DT).

Linebackers: London Fletcher, James Harrison, Luke Kuechly, Terrell Suggs.

Defensive backs: Rodney Harrison (S), Asante Samuel (CB), Earl Thomas (S), Charles Tillman (CB), Troy Vincent (CB), Darren Woodson (S).

Punters/kickers: Gary Anderson (K), Shane Lechler (P), Adam Vinatieri (K).

Special teams: Brian Mitchell (KR/PR).

--Field Level Media

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