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.

The WHO Morning News with Jeff Angelo