Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2026 Headlined by Drew Brees and Larry Fitzgerald

Two of the most influential players of the modern NFL era headline the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2026, announced Thursday night during the NFL Honors ceremony in San Francisco.

Quarterback Drew Brees and wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald lead a class that also includes linebacker Luke Kuechly, kicker Adam Vinatieri, and senior finalist running back Roger Craig. The group represents multiple generations of league evolution and reflects sustained excellence, postseason impact, and historical significance across positions.

The class was selected during a virtual meeting of the Hall of Fame’s board of selectors. Enshrinement is scheduled for August 8 in Canton, Ohio.

Drew Brees, Quarterback

San Diego Chargers 2001 to 2005, New Orleans Saints 2006 to 2020

Brees enters the Hall of Fame as one of the most accurate and productive passers in NFL history. Despite standing 6 feet tall, he built a career defined by anticipation, precision, and elite decision making. Drafted in the second round by San Diego in 2001, Brees faced early uncertainty after being replaced by Philip Rivers and suffering a severe shoulder injury in 2005.

He revived his career in New Orleans, signing with the Saints in 2006 and transforming the franchise into a perennial contender. Brees led the Saints to their first Super Bowl title following the 2009 season and was named Super Bowl XLIV MVP.

He finished his career second all time in passing yards with 80,358, touchdown passes with 571, and completions with 7,142. He earned thirteen Pro Bowl selections, two NFL Offensive Player of the Year awards, and threw for over 5,000 yards in a season five times, an NFL record.

Roger Craig, Running Back

San Francisco 49ers 1983 to 1990, Los Angeles Raiders 1991, Minnesota Vikings 1993

Craig becomes one of the most influential senior inductees in Hall history due to his role in redefining the running back position. A central figure in Bill Walsh’s West Coast offense, Craig was the first player to record 1,000 rushing yards and 1,000 receiving yards in the same season, accomplishing the feat in 1985.

He won three Super Bowls with San Francisco and was selected to four Pro Bowls and the 1980s All Decade team. His versatility forced defensive adjustments that shaped offensive strategy league wide for decades.

Craig made the postseason in every season of his career and was previously the only running back on any All Decade team from the 1970s through 1990s not in the Hall of Fame.

Larry Fitzgerald, Wide Receiver

Arizona Cardinals 2004 to 2020

Fitzgerald enters the Hall as one of the most consistent and dependable receivers the NFL has ever seen. Drafted third overall in 2004, he spent his entire seventeen year career with Arizona, finishing with 1,431 receptions and 17,492 receiving yards, both second only to Jerry Rice.

Fitzgerald earned eleven Pro Bowl selections, was named to the NFL one hundredth anniversary team, and made the 2010s All Decade team. He led the league in receptions at age 22 and again at 33, an eleven year gap that remains the widest in league history.

His most iconic stretch came during the 2008 postseason, when he recorded 30 receptions, 546 yards, and seven touchdowns across four games, one of the most dominant playoff performances ever by a wide receiver.

Luke Kuechly, Linebacker

Carolina Panthers 2012 to 2019

Kuechly is enshrined in his second year of eligibility after an eight season career marked by elite instincts and efficiency. He was named Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2012 and Defensive Player of the Year in 2013, becoming one of only two linebackers to win both awards.

A seven time Pro Bowl selection and five time All Pro, Kuechly recorded at least 100 tackles in all eight seasons and led the league in tackles twice. He was a key defensive leader on the Panthers team that reached Super Bowl 50.

Kuechly retired after the 2019 season due to health concerns, but his per season production and impact compare favorably with Hall of Fame linebackers across eras.

Adam Vinatieri, Kicker

New England Patriots 1996 to 2005, Indianapolis Colts 2006 to 2019

Vinatieri enters the Hall as the most accomplished kicker in NFL history. Over twenty four seasons, he became the league’s all time leading scorer with 2,673 points and set records for field goals made with 599, attempts with 715, games played with 365, and consecutive field goals made with 44.

He holds multiple postseason records and delivered some of the most consequential kicks in league history, including game winners in Super Bowls and overtime playoff games. Vinatieri won three Super Bowls with New England and one with Indianapolis and was named to the NFL one hundredth anniversary team.

He becomes only the third pure place kicker inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Former Patriots head coach Bill Belichick and team owner Robert Kraft were finalists through their respective subcommittees but were not selected in this voting cycle and remain eligible in future years.

The Class of 2026 reflects the NFL’s shift toward passing efficiency, positional versatility, and postseason performance as defining measures of greatness. As induction weekend approaches, the group stands as one of the most statistically accomplished and era defining classes in Hall of Fame history.