Overview
- First-year eligibles Drew Brees, Larry Fitzgerald, Jason Witten and Frank Gore made the cut.
- Willie Anderson, Torry Holt, Luke Kuechly and Adam Vinatieri advanced automatically after last year’s final-seven finish.
- Eli Manning, Reggie Wayne, Jahri Evans, Marshal Yanda, Terrell Suggs and Darren Woodson return as finalists, and Kevin Williams reached this stage for the first time.
- Up to five modern-era players can be elected with at least 80% support after a funnel that trimmed 128 nominees to 15.
- Separate voting will consider seniors Ken Anderson, Roger Craig and L.C. Greenwood plus coach Bill Belichick and contributor Robert Kraft, with results to be revealed Feb. 5 and enshrinement in August.