Overview
- Four first-year eligibles are Drew Brees, Larry Fitzgerald, Jason Witten and Frank Gore.
- Willie Anderson, Torry Holt, Luke Kuechly and Adam Vinatieri advanced automatically after reaching last year’s final seven.
- Returning candidates include Eli Manning, Reggie Wayne, Jahri Evans, Terrell Suggs, Darren Woodson and Marshal Yanda, and Kevin Williams is a first-time finalist in his sixth year of eligibility.
- The 50-member selection committee meets before Super Bowl LX to vote, with up to five modern-era players elected if each receives at least 80% approval.
- Separate ballots feature seniors Ken Anderson, Roger Craig and L.C. Greenwood plus coach Bill Belichick and contributor Robert Kraft, from whom one to three may be elected.