Early look at the 2026 Pro Football Hall of Fame ballot

With the 2025 Pro Football Hall of Fame class officially announced, it's time to turn our attention to the former NFL stars who could be immortalized in Canton next year.

Here's the rundown on what the 2026 ballot could look like:

1st-year eligibles

Drew Brees and Larry Fitzgerald headline this group, but they aren't the only notable former players who can make the cut in their first year of eligibility.

Drew Brees: Brees was one of the most prolific passers in league history, ranking second all time in career passing yards with more than 80,000. He was the face of the New Orleans Saints for 15 seasons and led the franchise to its first and only Super Bowl title in 2009.

Larry Fitzgerald: The legendary wideout sits second all-time in receiving yards, only behind Jerry Rice. He spent his entire 17-year career with the Arizona Cardinals and was a monster during their 2008 run to the Super Bowl.

Bill Belichick: Coaches now have only a one-season waiting period to become eligible, and Belichick fulfilled that time by sitting out in 2024. The six-time Super Bowl champion with the New England Patriots is presumably a no-brainer next year.

Philip Rivers: The longtime San Diego and Los Angeles Charger threw for 63,440 passing yards in 17 seasons, ranking sixth in league history. He was a prolific pocket passer who started 252 consecutive games from 2006-2020.

Jason Witten: The 11-time Pro Bowler is among the best players in Dallas Cowboys history. He racked up 13,046 receiving yards in his 17-year run in the NFL, only behind Tony Gonzalez for most all time by a tight end.

Frank Gore: Gore was one of the most consistent players of his era. The physical running back totaled exactly 16,000 career rushing yards, the third most in league history, across 16 NFL seasons.

Julian Edelman: Edelman wasn't the most productive receiver in the regular season, posting 620 receptions, 6,822 yards, and 36 touchdowns in 137 games with the Patriots. However, the one-time Super Bowl MVP and three-time Super Bowl winner's 118 receptions and 1,442 yards in the postseason are third in NFL history behind only Jerry Rice and Travis Kelce.

LeSean McCoy: The Eagles' all-time leading rusher secured six Pro Bowl nominations and two first-team All-Pro nods during his 12-year career. McCoy is a member of the 2010s all-decade team and was a nightmare for opposing defenses with his unique Barry Sanders-esque running style.

Other notable first-year eligible players: Maurkice Pouncey, Greg Olsen, Thomas Davis, Stephen Gostkowski, Geno Atkins, Alex Smith, Jurrell Casey.

Best of 2025 modern-era finalists

Eli Manning: Manning was arguably the most controversial name among the 15 finalists of the 2025 class, and the debate will continue. He was never one of the sport's best quarterbacks, but his two Super Bowl titles and Super Bowl MVPs with the New York Giants will likely send him to Canton eventually.

Luke Kuechly: Kuechly's exclusion from the 2025 class was a surprise, and it only happened because of his relatively short career. That said, the Carolina Panthers legend should be one of the favorites for induction in 2026.

Adam Vinatieri: Like Kuechly, Vinatieri was a top-seven finalist, making him an automatic finalist again next year. We expect the most clutch kicker of all time to get in during his second year of eligibility.

Willie Anderson: Anderson's time is coming. As one of the best offensive tackles of his era, he's been a finalist for several years. He made the cut to seven in 2025, so the four-time Pro Bowler's case remains on the right track.

Jahri Evans: A longtime protector for Brees, Evans was a staple on the Saints' offensive line for 11 seasons. He missed only nine games during his career and won Super Bowl XLIV with the Saints.

Torry Holt: It'll be harder for Holt to make it next year with some surefire locks becoming eligible - including another wide receiver in Fitzgerald - but Holt has been a finalist for six straight years.

Reggie Wayne: The former Indianapolis Colts wideout was one of Peyton Manning's top weapons for over a decade. Wayne made six Pro Bowls and was a three-time All-Pro.

Steve Smith Sr.: Smith's 1,031 receptions (12th) and 14,731 yards (eighth) are among the most the game's ever seen. The Panthers' all-time receiving leader also scored 81 receiving touchdowns in his career.

Terrell Suggs: Suggs was the Defensive Player of the Year in 2011 and was one of the most intimidating edge rushers in his heyday. He sits eighth on the NFL's all-time sacks leaderboard, ahead of 2025 inductee Jared Allen.

Fred Taylor: There weren't many players more instrumental to the Jaguars winning their first division title in 1998 when Taylor ran for 1,223 yards and 14 touchdowns. Just one Pro Bowl and second-team All-Pro may keep him waiting despite 14,079 yards and 74 touchdowns from scrimmage.

Darren Woodson: The Dallas Cowboys' all-time leading tackler was a stalwart of their defense in the '90s when the team won three Super Bowls. The former safety was a finalist for the Hall of Fame for the third straight year in 2025.

Marshal Yanda: A model of consistency, Yanda made the NFL's 2010s All-Decade Team at guard. He'll hope to get the call next year when he's on the ballot for the second time.