15 former National Football League stars were named finalists in the Modern-Era Players category of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2026. Players like Drew Brees, Eli Manning, Larry Fitzgerald, and more are being considered for induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

The Modern-Era Players, their position, teams, and years active are as follows:

• Willie Anderson, Tackle: 1996-2007 Cincinnati Bengals, 2008 Baltimore Ravens

• Drew Brees, Quarterback: 2001-05 San Diego Chargers, 2006-2020 New Orleans Saints

• Jahri Evans, Guard: 2006-2016 New Orleans Saints, 2017 Green Bay Packers

• Larry Fitzgerald, Wide Receiver: 2004-2020 Arizona Cardinals

• Frank Gore, Running Back: 2005-2014 San Francisco 49ers, 2015-17 Indianapolis Colts, 2018 Miami Dolphins, 2019 Buffalo Bills, 2020 New York Jets

• Torry Holt, Wide Receiver: 1999-2008 St. Louis Rams, 2009 Jacksonville Jaguars

• Luke Kuechly, Linebacker: 2012-19 Carolina Panthers

• Eli Manning, Quarterback: 2004-2019 New York Giants

• Terrell Suggs, Outside Linebacker: 2003-2018 Baltimore Ravens, 2019 Arizona Cardinals, 2019 Kansas City Chiefs

• Adam Vinatieri, Kicker: 1996-2005 New England Patriots, 2006-2019 Indianapolis Colts

• Reggie Wayne, Wide Receiver: 2001-2014 Indianapolis Colts

• Kevin Williams, Defensive Tackle: 2003-2013 Minnesota Vikings, 2014 Seattle Seahawks, 2015 New Orleans Saints

• Jason Witten, Tight End: 2003-2017, 2019 Dallas Cowboys, 2020 Las Vegas Raiders

• Darren Woodson, Safety: 1992-2003 Dallas Cowboys

• Marshal Yanda, Offensive Lineman: 2007-2019 Baltimore Ravens

Willie Anderson, Torry Holt, Luke Kuechly, and Adam Vinatieri automatically advanced to the finalist stage this year because each one of those players made it to the final round of the selection process for the Class of 2025. Additionally, four first-year eligible players made the cut this year: Drew Brees, Larry Fitzgerald, Frank Gore, and Jason Witten.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame Selection Committee is only allowed to choose five modern-era players for the Class of 2026. Each player must receive at least 80% approval to be inducted into the Class of 2026.

Five other individuals are being considered for the Class of 2026. The three Senior Finalists under consideration are quarterback Ken Anderson, running back Roger Craig, and defensive end L.C. Greenwood. Also, Bill Belichick has been nominated as a Coach Finalist, while Patriots owner Robert Kraft was named a Contributor Finalist.

Voting for the inductees into the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2026 will take place when the Hall of Fame Selection Committee meets before Super Bowl LX. The Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2026 will be announced on February 5th, 2026 during the NFL Honors being held in San Francisco, California.