Fourteen former NFL players were named as finalists for the 2026 Pro Football Hall of Fame Modern-Era Players class on Tuesday (December 30), according to a ProFootballHallOF.com news release.

The list includes four players who advanced automatically due to each candidate reaching the Final 7 for election last year, along with six other 2025 finalists, four first-year eligible candidates and one in his sixth year of eligibility. The Modern-Era Players finalists are included below per ProFootballHallOF.com:

Willie Anderson, Tackle — 1996-2007 Cincinnati Bengals, 2008 Baltimore Ravens
Drew Brees, Quarterback — 2001-05 San Diego Chargers, 2006-2020 New Orleans Saints
Jahri Evans, Guard — 2006-2016 New Orleans Saints, 2017 Green Bay Packers
Larry Fitzgerald, Wide Receiver — 2004-2020 Arizona Cardinals
Frank Gore, Running Back — 2005-2014 San Francisco 49ers, 2015-17 Indianapolis Colts, 2018 Miami Dolphins, 2019 Buffalo Bills, 2020 New York Jets
Torry Holt, Wide Receiver — 1999-2008 St. Louis Rams, 2009 Jacksonville Jaguars
Luke Kuechly, Linebacker — 2012-19 Carolina Panthers
Eli Manning, Quarterback — 2004-2019 New York Giants
Terrell Suggs, Outside Linebacker/Defensive End — 2003-2018 Baltimore Ravens, 2019 Arizona Cardinals, 2019 Kansas City Chiefs
Adam Vinatieri, Kicker — 1996-2005 New England Patriots, 2006-2019 Indianapolis Colts
Reggie Wayne, Wide Receiver — 2001-2014 Indianapolis Colts
Kevin Williams, Defensive Tackle — 2003-2013 Minnesota Vikings, 2014 Seattle Seahawks, 2015 New Orleans Saints
Jason Witten, Tight End — 2003-2017, 2019 Dallas Cowboys, 2020 Las Vegas Raiders
Darren Woodson, Safety — 1992-2003 Dallas Cowboys
Marshal Yanda, Guard/Tackle — 2007-2019 Baltimore Ravens

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Philip Rivers was among the semifinalists before un-retiring earlier this month. The 2026 Pro Football Hall of Fame class will be revealed during the annual NFL Honors award show in February and enshrined in August.

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