Pro Football Hall Of Fame

Drew Brees, Larry Fitzgerald Headline Stacked 2026 NFL Hall Of Fame Nominee List

Justin Rimpi

It is that time of year again. No, not pumpkin spice season—it’s time to start arguing about who deserves a gold jacket. The Pro Football Hall of Fame has dropped its list of 128 modern-era nominees for the Class of 2026, and it’s a doozy. Headlining the class are a couple of first-ballot locks, Quarterback Drew Brees and Wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald. Let’s be real, if these two don’t walk straight into Canton, we might as well shut the whole thing down.

Brees, the guy who basically put the city of New Orleans on his back after Hurricane Katrina, is second all-time in passing yards and touchdowns. He wasn’t just a quarterback; he was a beacon of hope, delivering the Saints their one and only Super Bowl trophy. Fitzgerald? He’s the guy with hands so good, they were probably insured by Lloyd’s of London. He sits right behind Jerry Rice in career receptions and receiving yards. The man made a career out of making impossible catches look like a Tuesday practice drill. Stamping their tickets to the Hall of Fame is a mere formality.

The “Almost” Guys: Rivers and Gore’s Compelling Cases

Now for the fun part. The “Are they Hall of Fame worthy?” debate starts with Quarterback Philip Rivers and Running Back Frank Gore. Rivers, forever linked with Brees from their San Diego days, was a statistical monster and the fiery leader of some incredibly talented Chargers teams. He is seventh all-time in passing yards, but the knock on him will always be the lack of a Super Bowl ring. Can you be a Hall of Fame QB without the ultimate hardware? That’s what the voters will be wrestling with.

Then there’s Gore, the ageless wonder. Gore wasn’t flashy. He didn’t have the “Beast Mode” runs or the electrifying speed of his peers. What did he have? A lunch pail, a hard hat, and an uncanny ability to show up to work every single Sunday for 16 seasons. He ran for 16,000 yards—third most in NFL history! Only Emmitt Smith and Walter Payton ran for more. That is the company he keeps. His resume screams consistency and durability in a position known for neither. He might not get in on the first try, but leaving him out feels like a crime against football itself.

Who Else Is Knocking On Canton’s Door?

Beyond the headliners, this Hall Of Fame class is loaded. Quarterbacks Alex Smith and Rivers join Brees as first-time nominees, creating a fascinating QB logjam. Other new names include bulldozing running back LeSean “Shady” McCoy, and reliable Tight Ends Greg Olsen and Jason Witten.

They will be up against some serious returning contenders who just missed the cut last year. Names like Eli Manning, who has two Super Bowl MVPs to his name, the electrifying Steve Smith Sr., and the dominant pass rusher Terrell Suggs are all waiting for their call. With only a handful of spots available, the Hall of Fame selection committee has some tough, emotional decisions ahead. Get your popcorn ready, because the debates are just getting started.

Justin has been a sportswriter for nearly a decade. He has previously written for 247 Sports an Sports Illustrated.

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