Class of 2026 Pro Football Hall of Fame Announced
One of the biggest parts of the NFL Honors is finding out the newest Hall of Famers. The Class of 2026 consists of five players heading to Canton to be enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Let’s take a closer look at the five men who were selected to be part of the Class of 2026 Pro Football Hall of Fame and will receive their gold jacket.
Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2026
Drew Brees
One of the assumed locks for the Class of 2026 was quarterback Drew Brees. He played 20 years in the NFL from 2001-2020 and finished with a Super Bowl, two-time Offensive Player of the Year, 2006 Walter Payton Man of the Year, and 2004 Comeback Player of the Year. Brees finished with a 172-114 record with over 80,000 passing yards and 571 career touchdowns.
Larry Fitzgerald
One of the best wide receivers in his era, Arizona Cardinals wideout Larry Fitzgerald, was named part of the Class of 2026. He was an 11-time Pro Bowler, one-time All-Pro, the 2016 Walter Payton Man of the Year, and named to the All-2010s team. Fitzgerald played 17 seaanos and recorded 1432 receptions on 2335 targets for 17,492 yards (12.2 yards per catch) with 121 touchdown receptions.
Luke Kuechly
Luke Kuechly is going to be the second-youngest player to ever be enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, as he will be only 35 years old when he gets inducted. Kuechly retired after eight seasons (2012-19) and spent his entire career with the Carolina Panthers. Despite a shorter career, he had seven Pro Bowls, five All-Pros, 2013 Defensive Player of the Year, and 2012 Defensive Rookie of the Year.
He played 118 career games and recorded 1092 total tackles (690 solo, 402 assisted) with 75 tackles for loss, 31 quarterback hits, 12.5 sacks, nine fumble recoveries (one returned for a touchdown), seven forced fumbles, 66 pass deflections, and 18 interceptions (one returned for a touchdown).
Adam Vinatieri
Former New England Patriots and Indianapolis Colts kicker Adam Vinatieri was also selected to the Class of 2026. He is the NFL’s all-time leader in career points (2,673), consecutive made field goals (44), career field goals made (599), and postseason points (238). Vinatieri made three All-Pros, three Pro Bowls, and won four Super Bowls.
Roger Craig
The one selection from the Senior category for this year’s Pro Football Hall of Fame class is former San Francisco 49ers running back Roger Craig. He made it while both coach Bill Belichick and owner Robert Kraft failed to reach enough votes for enshrinement in their first years on the ballot.
Craig was the first player in NFL history to record at least 1,000 receiving and rushing yards in the same season. He managed to record 13,100 yards from scrimmage throughout his career and 73 total touchdowns while helping the franchise win three Super Bowls.
