With this year's Hall of Fame class officially in the rearview mirror, the NFL is already looking ahead to who could potentially be inducted in 2026. Next year's group of names features some noteworthy stars that it feels like we just said goodbye to. But there are some truly sensational players ...
NFL Unveils 2026 First Time Hall Of Fame Candidates originally appeared on The Spun.
With this year's Hall of Fame class officially in the rearview mirror, the NFL is already looking ahead to who could potentially be inducted in 2026.
Next year's group of names features some noteworthy stars that it feels like we just said goodbye to. But there are some truly sensational players that very well could receive an invite to Canton on the first ballot 12 months from now.
On Saturday night, the NFL shared the list of first-time eligibles for the '26 class led by the likes of Drew Brees, Larry Fitzgerald and Frank Gore. Take a glance at who else could be up for enshrinement below:
- Larry Fitzgerald (11x Pro Bowl, 1x All-Pro, HOF All-2010s Team)
- Drew Brees (13x Pro Bowl, 1x All-Pro, 1x SB Champ, SB XLIV MVP, 2x OPOY)
- Philip Rivers (8x Pro Bowl)
- Jason Witten (11x Pro Bowl, 2x All-Pro)
- Frank Gore (5x Pro Bowl, HOF All-2010s Team)
- Julian Edelman (3x SB Champ, SB LIII MVP)
- Maurkice Pouncey (9x Pro Bowl, 2x All-Pro, HOF All-2010s Team)
- LeSean McCoy (6x Pro Bowl, 2x All-Pro, 2x SB Champ, HOF All-2010s Team)
- Thomas Davis (3x Pro Bowl, 1x All-Pro)
- Greg Olsen (3x Pro Bowl)
- Alex Smith (3x Pro Bowl, 2020 CPOY*)
- Dez Bryant (3x Pro Bowl, 1x All-Pro)
- Stephen Gostkowski (4x Pro Bowl, 2x All-Pro, 3x SB Champ, HOF All-2010s Team)
- Geno Atkins (8x Pro Bowl, 2x All-Pro, HOF All-2010s Team)
- David DeCastro (6x Pro Bowl, 2x All-Pro)
- Mike Pouncey (4x Pro Bowl)
- Sean Lee (2x Pro Bowl, 1x All-Pro)
- Todd Gurley (3x Pro Bowl, 2x All-Pro, 2015 OROY, 2017 OPOY)
- Jurrell Casey (5x Pro Bowl)
The class of 2026 is shaping up to be special 👀 pic.twitter.com/pmZQMuxurJ
— NFL (@NFL) August 2, 2025
Fans reacted to the impressive roster on X.
"Larry the 🐐 Truly deserves to be 1st ballot. Stayed with the Cardinals his whole career!" a user exclaimed. "That's bonus points in my opinion."
"Congrats to all of them," another replied.
"Fitz, Rivers, Brees, and Witten I can see getting in," a fan said.
"From this class you got 8 that might eventually make it!" another person commented.
"Sheesh, 2026 class gonna be wild 🔥"
"Larry has to be unanimous only one or two players ever greater than him at the position," another user claimed.
"Witten, Brees, Fitz, and gore should all be first ballot."
"Ohh boy...great class. Makes me feel my age!" another fan posted.
There's certainly a lot to love when it comes to 2026's class. Who do you see eventually getting in when it's all said and done?
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NFL Unveils 2026 First Time Hall Of Fame Candidates first appeared on The Spun on Aug 3, 2025
This story was originally reported by The Spun on Aug 3, 2025, where it first appeared.
Category: Football
