Overview
- Drew Brees and Larry Fitzgerald headline four first-year eligibles, joined by Frank Gore and Jason Witten among the finalists.
- Willie Anderson, Torry Holt, Luke Kuechly and Adam Vinatieri advanced automatically after reaching last year’s final seven.
- Defensive tackle Kevin Williams is a first-time finalist, while Anderson is a finalist for a fifth straight year, the most among this group.
- The field was trimmed by an independent committee from 128 nominees to 52, then 26 semifinalists, before being cut to 15 finalists.
- Up to five modern-era players can be elected with at least 80% support, and separate balloting will consider seniors Ken Anderson, Roger Craig and L.C. Greenwood, coach Bill Belichick and contributor Robert Kraft.