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4 former Panthers advance to next stage of 2026 Pro Football Hall of Fame voting
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- 4 former Panthers advance to next stage of 2026 Pro Football Hall of Fame voting
A handful of former Carolina Panthers are among the final 52 modern-era nominees who remain under consideration for football immortality.
Wide receiver Steve Smith Sr., tight end Greg Olsen , linebacker Luke Kuechly and cornerback Charles Tillman have advanced into the next stage of voting for the Pro Football Hall of Fame's 2026 class—as announced on Wednesday morning. The four were initially among the class' 128 preliminary nominees, which were named back on Sept. 24.
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This won't be the last advancement for Kuechly, who will be an automatic finalist after finishing in the top seven of last year's voting.
Smith, the franchise's all-time leading pass catcher, was also a finalist in 2025.
Olsen is currently in his first year of eligibility. The two-time second-team All-Pro and three-time Pro Bowler is the third-leading receiver in Panthers history.
Tillman, in 2015, played the last of his 13 seasons for Carolina.
The remaining 52 players will now be voted on by the full selection committee, which will reduce the pool to 25 nominees in about a month's time.
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This article originally appeared on Panthers Wire: 4 former Panthers advance to next stage of 2026 Hall of Fame voting
