Two NFL legends inched closer to the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Tuesday. New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees and Arizona Cardinals wideout Larry Fitzgerald headline the first-year eligible players moving on to the semifinalist round of the voting.
They aren't the only big-name, first-year eligible players remaining. Running back Frank Gore and Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten are still in the running to be a part of the 2026 Hall of Fame class.
In total, 26 candidates are still being considered for that honor.
Twenty six candidates in the Modern-Era Players category have reached the Semifinalist stage for possible election to the Pro Football Hall of Fame's Class of 2026.pic.twitter.com/V0L5uIqbfw
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter)November 25, 2025
It's a crowded list. In addition to the newcomers still in the hunt — all of whom deserve heavy consideration — standouts like Eli Manning, Torry Holt, Steve Smith, Willie Anderson, Vince Wilfork and Luke Kuechly, among many others, are still vying for a finalist spot.
With such a strong list of candidates, it's unclear which players will be left standing when selectors cast their votes.
The Pro Football Hall of Fame process includes multiple steps. After an original list of nominees is determined, that list gets whittled down to roughly 25 semifinalists. From there, 15 finalists are chosen.
That list of finalists gets pared down even more just before the Super Bowl. The list is first cut to 10 players and then down to seven. Once the final seven are determined, selectors may cast their final vote. Players need 80 percent of votes to be elected, though there are some weird quirks to the finalist round, per the Pro Football Hall of Fame's website.
"Those who receive at least 80% favorable votes will be elected, with a maximum of five and no fewer than three. (Should fewer than three Finalists receive 80% favorable voting, the Finalist(s) closest to that figure would be elected.)"
Narrowing down the list of semifinalists to just seven players is nearly impossible. There are a lot of elite players still waiting to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. That should ensure the 2026 class is plentiful, though it also means some players who are almost certainly worthy of the Hall of Fame will find themselves waiting to be part of the class of 2027.