Overview

• Thirteen first-year eligibles join the slate: Drew Brees, Philip Rivers, Alex Smith, Larry Fitzgerald, Greg Olsen, Jason Witten, Frank Gore, LeSean McCoy, David DeCastro, Maurkice Pouncey, Geno Atkins, Jurrell Casey and Thomas Davis.
• Because they reached the final seven in 2025, Willie Anderson, Torry Holt, Luke Kuechly and Adam Vinatieri automatically occupy four spots among the 15 Modern-Era finalists.
• After the mid-October cut to 50, the 50-member Selection Committee will reduce the list to 25 semifinalists and then 15 finalists for debate during Super Bowl week.
• Finalists must receive at least 80% support, and Hall bylaws allow for three to five Modern-Era inductees to be elected at the February selection meeting in Santa Clara.
• The nominees comprise 77 offensive, 42 defensive and nine special teams players, with Ernst & Young overseeing reduction vote tabulation; enshrinement is scheduled for August 2026 in Canton.