Pro Football Hall of Fame 2026 NFL Inductees, Class Finalists and Predictions

The 2025-26 NFL season will culminate with Sunday's showdown between the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl LX. However, the Super Bowl isn't the only noteworthy event of the week. As part of Thursday's NFL Honors, the Pro Football Hall of Fame's 2026 class will be announced.

Voting has already taken place for the Hall of Fame class, and leaks from the voting process have brought a fair bit of drama to the football world. While the voting is supposed to remain secret until after the class is announced, news quickly broke that longtime Patriots head coach Bill Belichick will not be a first-ballot Hall of Famer.

Who will punch their tickets to Canton on Thursday night? Let's take a look at the finalists and make a few predictions.

2026 NFL Honors

AP Photo

Jon Hamm arrives at the 9th Annual NFL Honors at the Adrienne Arsht Center in Miami on Saturday, Feb. 1, 2020.

Date: Thursday, February 5

Time: 9 p.m. ET

Location: Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco

Host: Jon Hamm

Known Performers: E-40 and Too $hort

TV and Live Stream: NBC, NFL Network and Peacock

2026 Hall of Fame Finalists

AP Photo

Modern Era

Willie Anderson, OT, Cincinnati Bengals (1996-2007), Baltimore Ravens (2008)

Drew Brees, QB, San Diego Chargers (2001-2005), New Orleans Saints (2006-2020)

Jahri Evans, OL, New Orleans Saints (2006-2016), Green Bay Packers (2017)

Larry Fitzgerald, WR, Arizona Cardinals (2004-2020)

Frank Gore, RB, San Francisco 49ers (2005-2014), Indianapolis Colts (2015-2017), Miami Dolphins (2018), Buffalo Bills (2019), New York Jets (2020)

Torry Holt, WR, St. Louis Rams (1999-2008), Jacksonville Jaguars (2009)

Luke Kuechly, LB, Carolina Panthers (2012-2019)

Eli Manning, QB, New York Giants (2004-2019)

Terrell Suggs, DE, Baltimore Ravens (2003-2018), Arizona Cardinals (2019), Kansas City Chiefs (2019)

Adam Vinatieri, K, New England Patriots (1996-2005), Indianapolis Colts (2006-2019)

Reggie Wayne, WR, Indianapolis Colts (2001-2014)

Kevin Williams, DT, Minnesota Vikings (2003-2013), Seattle Seahawks (2014), New Orleans Saints (2015)

Jason Witten, TE, Dallas Cowboys (2003-2017, 2019), Las Vegas Raiders (2020)

Darren Woodson, S, Dallas Cowboys (1992-2003)

Marshal Yanda, G, Baltimore Ravens (2007-2019)

Senior

Kenny Anderson, QB, Cincinnati Bengals (1971-1986)

Roger Craig, RB, San Francisco 49ers (1983-1990), Los Angeles Raiders (1991), Minnesota Vikings (1992-1993)

L.C. Greenwood, DE, Pittsburgh Steelers (1969-1981)

Coach/Contributor

Bill Belichick, Coach, New York Giants (DC, 1985-1990), Cleveland Browns (HC, 1991-1995), New York Jets (DC, 1997-1999), New England Patriots (HC, 2000-2023)

Robert Kraft, Franchise Owner, New England Patriots

Class Predictions

AP Photo/Gerald Herbert, File

Larry Fitzgerald

The current voting process involves a 50-member panel that votes on each of the 15 modern-era finalists and five finalists from a combined pool of senior candidates, contributors, and coaches.

Candidates must receive 80 percent of votes to earn a gold jacket. Up to five modern-era finalists and up to three senior/coach/contributor finalists can be inducted in any given year.

Since it was leaked that Belichick wouldn't be inducted this year, one argument that has arisen is that the senior candidates deserved a chance in what might be their last time to get in.

"I didn't vote against Belichick or Kraft," Vahe Gregorian of the Kansas City Star wrote. I voted for the three senior candidates: Ken Anderson, Roger Craig and L.C. Greenwood."

News has also leaked that, alongside his former coach, Patriots franchise owner Robert Kraft won't be inducted this year. Longtime New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning is also out, according to Bryan DeArdo of CBS Sports.

The prediction here is that five of the remaining 17 finalists reach the Hall of Fame, including a pair of players eligible in their first years.

Drew Brees, who is most well-known for his time with the New Orleans Saints, should be a first-ballot lock. Not only did he deliver a Lombardi Trophy to New Orleans, but he also ranks second all-time in career passing yards. Similarly, Larry Fitzgerald is an obvious first-ballot Hall of Famer.

The standout wide receiver, who spent his entire career with the Arizona Cardinals, ranks second all-time in receiving yards. Only Jerry Rice has more career receiving yards.

Luke Kuechly also feels like a logical addition to the 2026 class. While he had a relatively short playing career, the five-time first-team All-Pro was arguably the league's best defensive player for a half-decade. In the case of the Carolina Panthers star, greatness means more than longevity.

Legendary kicker Adam Vinatieri is also deserving, having won three Super Bowls with the Patriots and another with the Indianapolis Colts. He remains the NFL's all-time leader in points scored.

While Belichick and Kraft are both reportedly out, the prediction here is that L.C. Greenwood is the only senior finalist to get in. As a four-time Super Bowl champion and key member of the Pittsburgh Steelers' vaunted 1970s defense, he has an incredibly strong case.

Greenwood, a two-time first-team All-Pro and six-time Pro Bowler, ranks fourth on the Steelers' all-time sacks list.

Class of '26 Prediction

Drew Brees

Larry Fitzgerald

L.C. Greenwood

Luke Kuechly

Adam Vinatieri