Drew Brees, Larry Fitzgerald and All Potential Candidates for 2026 Hall of Fame Class

The 2025 class of the Pro Football Hall of Fame will take their place in immortality Saturday in Canton, Ohio when Eric Allen, Jared Allen, Antonio Gates, and Sterling Sharpe take center stage for their enshrinement speeches.

While they have earned their moment in the spotlight, it is never too early to look toward the future and the crop of all-time greats ready to join them in the Hall.

Who are the potential headliners for next year's class, from both first-time and returning eligible players?

Find out in this preview of the 2026 class.

First Time Eligible

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Quarterbacks

Drew Brees (Chargers, Saints)

Philip Rivers (Chargers, Colts)

Alex Smith (49ers, Chiefs, Commanders)

Running Backs

Frank Gore (49ers, Colts, Dolphins, Bills, Jets)

LeSean McCoy (Eagles, Bills, Chiefs, Buccaneers)

Todd Gurley (Rams, Falcons)

Wide Receivers

Larry Fitzgerald (Cardinals)

Julian Edelman (Patriots)

Dez Bryant (Cowboys, Saints, Ravens)

Tight Ends

Jason Witten (Cowboys, Raiders)

Greg Olsen (Bears, Panthers)

Offensive Linemen

Maurkice Pouncey (Steelers)

Mike Pouncey (Dolphins, Chargers)

David DeCastro (Steelers)

Defensive Linemen

Geno Atkins (Bengals)

Jurrell Casey (Titans, Broncos)

Linebacker

Thomas Davis (Panthers, Chargers, Commanders)

Sean Lee (Cowboys)

Special Teams

Stephen Gostkowski (Patriots, Titans)

Coaches/Contributors

Bill Belichick (Browns, Patriots)

Other Notable Eligible Players

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Eli Manning (QB, Giants)

Torry Holt (WR, Rams, Jaguars, Patriots)

Luke Kuechly (LB, Panthers)

Steve Smith Sr. (WR, Panthers, Ravens)

Reggie Wayne (WR, Colts)

Terrell Suggs (LB, Ravens, Cardinals, Chiefs)

Darren Woodson (S, Cowboys)

Adam Vinetieri (K, Patriots, Colts)

Brees, Fitzgerald Are First Ballot Worthy

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The story of the 2025 Hall of Fame class will be defined by its two first ballot-worthy headliners: quarterback Brees and wide receiver Fitzgerald.

Brees accumulated the second-most passing yards in league history with 80,358, is second in pass completions with 7,142, and threw for 571 touchdowns. He delivered the New Orleans Saints their first Super Bowl title at the end of the 2009 season and won the MVP of that game, making him arguably the most beloved Saint in franchise history.

All of that after being traded by the San Diego Chargers amid the arrival of Philip Rivers in 2004, a failed trade to Miami amid shoulder injuries, and early criticisms of his arm strength.

Fitzgerald, likewise, is among the greatest Arizona Cardinals in that team's history.

The University of Pittsburgh export accumulated the second-most receiving yards in NFL history behind only the great Jerry Rice, scored 121 touchdowns, and appeared in Super Bowl XLIII, where he caught seven balls for 127 yards and two touchdowns.

A multi-talented wide receiver who could stretch the field for the deep ball or catch a slant and take it 70 or 80 yards for a score thanks to his deceptive speed, Fitzgerald was a game changing wide receiver who, in an era of big talk and media headlines from his peers, let his play speak for itself.

Both exemplified excellence on the field and off, becoming leaders for their teams and among the most beloved players in the sport during their time at its forefront.

They are the closest to sure things for enshrinement come next August.