Drew Brees and Larry Fitzgerald were picked in their first year of eligibility as two of the nominees among modern era players for the 2026 Pro Football Hall of Fame class.
Brees and Fitzgerald were two of the most prolific producers in the passing game in NFL history with Brees ranking second all-time in yards passing and touchdowns, and Fitzgerald ranking second in career receptions and yards receiving.
Eleven other players in their first year of eligibility were picked among the 128 modern-era nominees for this year's class. The other nominees in their first year of eligibility are quarterbacks Philip Rivers and Alex Smith; tight ends Greg Olsen and Jason Witten; running backs A screening committee will reduce the candidates to 50 in October with the full 50-member selection committee reducing the list to 25 and then 15 finalists, who will be voted on by the selection meeting before the Super Bowl in February. Drew Brees and Larry Fitzgerald are among 13 first-year nominees for the Pro Football Hall of Fame's 2026 class. Four players have already guaranteed themselves spots in the final 15 after making it down to the final seven players in the 2025 class with Willie Anderson, Torry Holt, Luke Kuechly and In addition to the 15 modern era finalists, the selection committee will consider three seniors, one coach and one contributor for the Class of 2026. Between four and eight new members will be elected in the second year of this current format.Brees and Fitzgerald are the top new candidates this year. Brees is second all-time to Tom Brady with 80,358 yards passing and 571 touchdown passes. He spent the first five seasons of his career with the San Diego Chargers before signing as a free agent with theBrees delivered New Orleans its first Super Bowl title following the 2009 season when he won MVP of the game after beating Peyton Manning and the. Brees made the Pro Bowl 13 times in his career, won AP Offensive Player of the Year in 2008 and 2011, was an All-Pro in 2006 and was a second-team All-Pro four times.after being drafted third overall in 2004. His 1,432 catches and 17.492 yards receiving in 17 seasons ranks second all-time to Jerry Rice. Fitzgerald topped 1,000 yards receiving nine times -- tied for the fourth most ever -- and helped the Cardinals reach their only Super Bowl following the 2008 season. Fitzgerald set single-season records that postseason with 546 yards receiving and seven TD catches, including a go-ahead 64-yard score with 2:37 to play before Pittsburgh rallied for a 27-23 win over Arizona.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Charlie Kirk memorial drew at least 20 million cable TV and online viewersToday's Business Headlines: 09/22/25
Read more »
A Brief Memoir in Snack RecipesHilary Fitzgerald Campbell humorously illustrates major life moments through various snacks.
Read more »
Walmart’s Beautiful by Drew Barrymore Multi-Cooker is on sale for $65Walmart has dropped the price of the Beautiful by Drew Barrymore 10-in-1 Multi-Cooker to just $65. Available in popular colors like Thyme Green, this versatile kitchen essential is both stylish and convenient.
Read more »
Drew Brees Wasn’t Afraid to Fire Off Head-Scratching Statements During ‘First Take’ DThe former Saints QB dropped two wild takes about the Eagles on the ESPN show.
Read more »
Rock solid: 2025 Tucson Gem, Mineral & Fossil Showcase drew large crowds, collected more in taxesEdward 'Eddie' Celaya is a Multimedia Journalist here at KGUN9.
Read more »
Drew Brees Entered the ESPN Ecosystem With the Perfect TakeDrew Brees made his ESPN with a perfect Eagles take that generated headlines and more talk show segments.
Read more »