Overview
- Five first-year eligible stars — Drew Brees, Larry Fitzgerald, Frank Gore, Philip Rivers and Jason Witten — are on the 26-player modern-era list.
- Four 2025 top-seven finishers — Willie Anderson, Torry Holt, Luke Kuechly and Adam Vinatieri — are already assured places among this cycle’s 15 finalists under Hall bylaws.
- Offensive tackle Lomas Brown and defensive tackle Kevin Williams reached the semifinal stage for the first time, joining 19 returning candidates.
- The 50-member selection committee will cut the field to 15 in a late-December vote, then consider all finalists before Super Bowl LX alongside seniors, coach and contributor picks announced Dec. 3.
- Returning headliners include Eli Manning, Fred Taylor, Steve Smith Sr., Reggie Wayne, Jahri Evans, Marshal Yanda, Terrell Suggs, Darren Woodson, with other notable semifinalists such as Hines Ward, Rodney Harrison and Vince Wilfork.