Super Bowl-winning quarterbacks Drew Brees and Eli Manning lead the list of the 15 finalists in the Modern-Era Players category for the Pro Football Hall of Fame's Class of 2026, the Hall announced in a release Tuesday, Dec. 29.
Willie Anderson, Torry Holt, Luke Kuechly and Adam Vinatieri all automatically advanced because they reached the Final 7 for election with the Class of 2025. Joining them are six other finalists from a year ago, four first-year eligible candidates and one player in his sixth year of eligibility who is a finalist for the first time.
The other finalists in the Modern-Era Player category are Jahri Evans , Larry Fitzgerald , Frank Gore , Terrell Suggs , Reggie Wayne, Kevin Williams , Jason Witten , Darren Woodson and Marshal Yanda .
The candidates in the Modern-Era Players category will be considered when the Hall of Fame's Selection Committee meets before Super Bowl LX. Although there is no set number for any class of enshrinees, the Hall of Fame's selection process bylaws stipulate that between four and eight new members shall be selected.
The Modern-Era finalists were determined by the Hall's independent Selection Committee from a list that began with 128 nominees. It was reduced two other times — to 50 nominees and then to 25 semifinalists — before being cut to the 15 finalists.
The Selection Committee may elect up to five Modern-Era Players for the Class of 2026, and each must receive a minimum positive vote of 80% for election.
Seniors category finalists Ken Anderson, Roger Craig and L.C. Greenwood , Coach finalist Bill Belichick and Contributor finalist Robert Kraft also are candidates for the Class of 2026. Voting on these five is conducted separately as a group distinct from the Modern-Era Players, with a minimum of one person and a maximum of three from the combined categories elected under the Hall's current bylaws.
Here's a look at the other Modern-Era finalists, with short bios provided by the Hall:
Breeswas selected with the first pick of the second round (32nd overall) of the 2001 NFL Draft by Chargers … After struggling for three seasons in San Diego, was named PFWA's Most Improved Player and AP Comeback Player of the Year in 2004 with 3,159 passing yards and posting an 11-4 record as Chargers' starter … Selected to his first of 13 Pro Bowls that season … Led the NFL in passes completed and percentage of passes completed for six seasons … Led the NFL in passing yardage seven times – all within the 2006 to 2016 seasons after joining New Orleans Saints , when he totaled at least 4,388 yards annually and surpassed the 5,000-yard mark five times … Led the NFL in passing touchdowns 2008-09, 2011-12 … AP Offensive Player of the Year 2008, 2011 … Super Bowl XLIV MVP after leading Saints past Indianapolis Colts … 2006 NFL Walter Payton Man of the Year … Career regular-season stats include 80,358 passing yards and 571 passing touchdowns; both rank second in NFL history.
Manning, the first overall selection in the 2004 NFL Draft, played his entire career (16 seasons) with New York Giants … Super Bowl XLII MVP while handing the New England Patriots their only loss of the season … Super Bowl XLVI MVP … One of only six players to earn multiple Super Bowl MVP awards … Selected to four Pro Bowls (2008, 2011-12, 2015 seasons) … Shared 2016 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year recognition with Larry Fitzgerald … Led the NFC in passing touchdowns in 2005 (24) and 2015 (35) … Played in 236 regular-season games, including a streak of 210 consecutive starts … Threw for 57,023 yards and 366 touchdowns … Upon retirement, held 22 regular-season records for the Giants, including passes completed (4,895), longest pass completion (99 yards against Jets in 2011) and most games with 300 or more yards passing (51) … Among his nine franchise postseason records are passing yards (2,815) and touchdowns (18). Departed Ole Miss owning 47 game, season or career records
Andersonmade an immediate impact as a rookie for the Bengals – named to PFWA's All-Rookie Team in 1996 … Possessed not only the size a tackle needed to excel, but also the speed, strength and humility, allowing him to dominate at his position … Known as a strong run blocker and resilient pass blocker during the entirety of his 13-year tenure in the NFL … Considered an elite right tackle during his career and successfully held back such NFL sack leaders as Hall of Famers John Randle, Bruce Smith, Michael Strahan and Reggie White … Blocked for nine 1,000-yard rushers, as well as Corey Dillon's two NFL record-breaking games: 246 yards for the rookie record and 278 yards for the all-time record that both stood for nearly three years … Started in 184 of his 195 career games … First-team All-Pro honors from 2004-06; second-team All-Pro in 2003 … Received All-AFC recognition in 2005 and 2006 … Voted to four consecutive Pro Bowls – following the 2003-06 seasons … Received the Ed Block Courage Award in 2004.
Holt, a wide receiver, played for St. Louis Rams (1999-2008) and Jacksonville Jaguars (2009) after being selected in the first round (No. 6 overall) in the 1999 draft by the Rams ... Named team's Rookie of the Year after catching 52 passes for 788 yards and 6 TDs to help Rams to a Super Bowl victory … Had seven catches for 109 yards and a TD in Rams' 23-16 victory over Tennessee Titans in Super Bowl XXXIV … Eight consecutive 1,000-yard receiving seasons (2000-07) … Career-best 117 catches for 1,696 yards and 12 TDs in 2003 …. Had 10 games with 100 or more yards in 2003 … Led NFL in receptions in 2003 and receiving yardage in 2000 and 2003 … Recorded 80 or more catches in a season eight consecutive years … Led Rams in receptions seven years in a row (2002-08) … Rams' receiving yardage leader a record nine times … 920 career receptions for 13,382 yards and 74 TDs …. Named All-Pro in 2003 and to the second team in 2006 … All-NFC twice … Voted to seven Pro Bowls … Selected to NFL's All-Decade Team of the 2000s.
Kuechly, a linebacker, played his entire career (2012-19) with the Carolina Panthers after being picked by the team in the first round (No. 9 overall) in 2012 ... Run-stopping ability combined with pass coverage skills made him rare inside linebacker to crack Top 10 of NFL drafts in his era … Led National Football League in tackles twice, including rookie season in which his 202 stops set a Panthers' team record … Won Associated Press Defensive Rookie of the Year Award in 2013 … In 2013, upped postseason honors with AP Defensive Player of the Year Award, fist-team AP All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors … In a late December game that season, credited with 26 tackles against the New Orleans Saints , setting an NFL record … Surpassed 100 tackles all eight of his NFL seasons … Finished career with nearly 1,100 tackles, 18 interceptions, 66 passes defensed, 12.5 sacks and 31 quarterback hits … Named to NFL's All-Decade Team of the 2010s … Won Butkus Award as NFL's top linebacker three times (2014, 2015, 2017) .. Received Art Rooney Award for sportsmanship in 2017.
Vinatieri, a kicker, played for the New England Patriots (1996-2005) and Indianapolis Colts (2006-2019) after signing with the Patriots as an undrafted free agent in 1996 ... Scored 120 points in first season, earning spot on NFL All-Rookie Team … Over next nine seasons, set nearly every significant kicking and scoring record for Patriots, including career points (1,158), consecutive games with a field goal (25) and longest field goal (57 yards) … Provided margin of victory in two of New England's three Super Bowl wins during his tenure with last-second field goals against the St. Louis Rams (20-17 in Super Bowl XXXVI) and Carolina Panthers (32-29 in Super Bowl XXXVIII) … Joined Colts as free agent prior to 2006 season and played with team for 14 seasons, setting most franchise kicking and scoring records, including career points (1,515) and most field goals from 50 yards plus (37) … Won fourth Super Bowl ring with Colts … Holds NFL record for career points (2,673), consecutive field goals made (44), career field goals (599) and most seasons with 100+ points (21) among many other records … Member of NFL 100 All-Time Team and NFL All-Decade Team of the 2000s.
Evans, a guard, played for the New Orleans Saints (2006-2016) and Green Bay Packers (2017) after being a fourth-round pick (108 overall) by the Saints in 2006 ... Played collegiately at Division II Bloomsburg (Pa.) University … Durable guard who played 183 career regular-season games – all starts – over 12 seasons … Stepped into Saints lineup immediately, helping team to NFC South Division title and earning a spot on PFWA's All-Rookie Team in 2006 … Saints led NFL in passing yards six times during his 11 seasons in New Orleans and total offense six times … Selected to six consecutive Pro Bowls (for 2009-2014 seasons) and was a four-time AP first-team All-Pro (2009-2012 seasons) … Member of Super Bowl XLIV-winning Saints team … Unanimous selection to Saints Hall of Fame in 2021 … Named to the Saints' 50th Anniversary Team in 2016 and the NFL's All-Decade Team of the 2010s.
Suggs, an outside linebacker/defensive end, played for the Baltimore Ravens (2003-2018), Arizona Cardinals (2019) and Kansas City Chiefs (2019) after being selected in the first round (No. 10 overall) by the Ravens in 2003 ... Set an NCAA record for sacks with 24 as a senior at Arizona State … Immediate contributor to Ravens defense with 12 sacks, nine tackles for loss and five forced fumbles in first year … Won 2003 AP Defensive Rookie of the Year Award and made NFL All-Rookie Team … In 2011, won AP Defensive Player of the Year Award and named first-team All-Pro with season stats that included 14 sacks, 20 tackles for loss, seven forced fumbles and 23 quarterback hits … Returned from Achilles tendon tear in 2012 offseason to play eight games plus playoffs in helping Ravens to victory in Super Bowl LVII … AP's Comeback Player of the Year in 2013 following 10-sack season … Double-digit sacks in seven seasons … Career statistics include 139 sacks (currently 12th all time, unofficially) and 202 tackles for loss, according to Pro-Football-Reference an NFL record.
Wayne, a wide receiver, played his entire career (2001-2014) with the Indianapolis Colts after being picked in the first round (No. 30) overall by the team in 2001 ... Offensive threat who helped Colts reach postseason every year but two during his career … Caught 100 passes in a season four times (104 in 2007, 100 in 2009, 111 in 2010 and 106 in 2012) … Recorded 1,000 receiving yards eight times … Led NFL with career-high 1,510 receiving yards, 2007 …Had 10 or more catches in a game 15 times … Set franchise record with 15 receptions versus Jacksonville Jaguars on Oct. 3, 2010 … Racked up 100 yards in a game 43 times … Career stats: 1,070 catches for 14,345 yards and 82 touchdowns … Started four AFC Championship Games and two Super Bowls … Had two receptions for 61 yards and a touchdown in Super Bowl XLI victory … Retired as NFL's second all-time leading receiver in postseason (93 catches) … First-team All-Pro in 2010 … Second-team All-Pro in 2007, 2009 … Voted to six Pro Bowls over seven-year span.
Woodson, a safety, played his entire career (1992-2003) with the Dallas Cowboys after being selected in the second round (No. 37 overall) of the 1992 NFL Draft by the Cowboys with a pick obtained as part of the Herschel Walker trade ... Earned a spot on the 1992 PFWA All-Rookie Team, appearing in all 19 games for the Super Bowl champion Cowboys … A member of three Super Bowl-winning teams with Dallas (XXVII, XXVIII, XXX) … Ended his playing career as the Cowboys' all-time leader in tackles with 1,350, according to team stats … First-team All-Pro honors four seasons (1994-96, 1998) … Chosen to participate in five Pro Bowls … Elected to the Dallas Cowboys Ring of Honor in 2015 … Finished his 12-year NFL career with 26 interceptions (including playoffs), with two returned for touchdowns … Winner of the 2002 Bart Starr Award, given annually to the NFL player who serves as a positive role model to his family, teammates and community … Finalist for the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award in 2003.
Yanda, a guard/tackle, played his entire career (2007-2019) with the Baltimore Ravens after being the team's third-round pick (No. 87 overall) in 2007 ... After playing only two games in 2017, rebounded in 2018, playing 16 games and receiving the Ed Block Courage Award … Selected to eight Pro Bowls … Named Associated Press All-Pro two consecutive seasons (2014-15) … Second-time All-Pro five times (2011-12, 2016, 2018-19) … Member of the NFL's All-Decade Team of the 2010s … Played in all 71 offensive snaps and seven snaps on special teams in the Ravens' Super Bowl XLVII 34-31 victory against the San Francisco 49ers … Returned from a 2008 season-ending injury to aid the Ravens in posting a then-franchise record 47 touchdowns (22 rushing) and 5,619 total yards in 2009 … In 2019, helped increase the franchise total yards record to 5,999 … Named All-NFL in 2012, 2014-15 by PFWA … Named All-AFC by PFWA in 2011-12, 2014-2016, 2018-19.
Fitzgerald, selected with the third overall pick of the 2004 NFL Draft, spent entire career with Arizona Cardinals … Immediate starter who contributed 58 receptions for 780 yards and eight touchdowns in first year … In second season, surpassed 1,000 yards (1,409) with a league-leading 103 receptions … Would eclipse 100 catches in a season five times in his career and surpass 90 in three other times … Led NFL in receiving touchdowns twice, 2008-09 … Career stats include 1,432 career receptions for 17,492 yards – both ranking second in NFL history … Sixth on the all-time receiving touchdowns list with 121 … Helped Cardinals reach Super Bowl XLIII following 2008 season … In the 2008 playoffs, made 30 receptions for 546 yards (18.2 avg.) with seven touchdowns … Selected to 11 Pro Bowls … Named to the NFL's All-Decade Team of the 2010s and the NFL 100 All-Time Team … 2016 co-winner of the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award.
Gore, a running back drafted in the third round of the 2005 Draft with the 65th overall selection by the San Francisco 49ers, saw some action as a rookie – 127 carries for 608 yards and three touchdowns – before a breakout second season … In 2006, rushed for 1,695 yards and totaled 2,180 yards from scrimmage with nine total touchdowns to earn PFWA's Most Improved Player award and first of five Pro Bowl invitations … Over the next 10 seasons, surpassed 1,000 rushing yards eight more times … Led the NFL in playoff rushing touchdowns with four in 2012 to help 49ers reach Super Bowl XVLII … Selected by NFL players as the 2016 Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award winner for actions and demeanor on the playing field … Played in 241 regular-season games, the most for an NFL running back … Stands as league's third all-time rusher with exactly 16,000 yards in 3,735 attempts (4.3 average) … Amassed 19,985 yards from scrimmage, fourth in NFL history … Selected to the NFL's All-Decade team of the 2010s.
Williamswas a first-round draft pick of Minnesota Vikings (2003, ninth overall) after collegiate career at Oklahoma State that included 18.5 sacks and 38 tackles for loss in 42 games … Immediate starter for Vikings at defensive end before moving inside after 12 games … In rookie season registered 10.5 sacks, 15 tackles for loss, an interception and four passes defensed, earning a spot on the NFL All-Rookie Team and finishing fourth in voting for AP Defensive Rookie of the Year … Remained at defensive tackle for remainder of career … Including playoffs, started 202 of 212 games … Career stats include 63 sacks, more than 500 total tackles, 113 tackles for loss, 73 passes defensed, nine forced fumbles, 13 fumble recoveries and five interceptions … Six Pro Bowl seasons … Five first-team AP All-Pro seasons.
Witten, a tight end, was one of the game's true "iron men." He played immediately after being selected in third round of the 2023 NFL Draft … Missed only one game out of 280 (including playoffs) over 17 NFL seasons … Named to NFL's All-Rookie Team (2003) … More than doubled his offensive output in Year 2 of career with 87 receptions for 980 yards and six touchdowns to earn Pro Bowl nod … Named to Pro Bowl 10 times in 11-year span (2004-2014) … Two-time first-team AP All-Pro (2007, 2010) and twice second-team AP All-Pro (2008, 2012) … Surpassed 1,000 receiving yards in four seasons and more than 900 three other times … Career high for receiving yards (1,145) came in 2007 … Finished career with 1,228 receptions (fourth all time) for 13,046 yards (21st all time) and 74 touchdowns … Retired for one year after 2017 season, then came back and played 32 consecutive games over next two years … Named the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year in 2012.
The Class of 2026 will be unveiled Feb. 5 during the "NFL Honors presented by Invisalign" broadcast from the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco. It will air on NBC and NFL Network and will be streamed on Peacock and NFL+.
The Pro Football Hall of Fame's Class of 2026 will be enshrined in August in Canton.
This article originally appeared on The Repository: Eli Manning, Drew Brees, Larry Fitzgerald among Hall of Fame finalists
