Quarterback Drew Brees and wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald are among four modern-era finalists to be eligible for the Football Hall of Fame for the first time.
Slotback Jason Witten and running back Frank Gore are the other two first-time eligible players announced among the 15 finalists Tuesday.
Willie Anderson, Torry Holt, Luke Kuechly and Adam Vinatieri were assured of a spot, having been selected as one of seven finalists in the 2025 induction voting. Six other finalists from last year return, including Eli Manning, Reggie Wayne, Jahri Evans, Marshall Yanda, Terrell Suggs and Darren Woodson.
Defensive tackle Kevin Williams is a finalist for the first time, in his sixth year of eligibility.
The 50-person selection committee will vote on the 15 finalists next month and the results will be announced Feb. 5 during the NFL’s individual honors ceremony. Between three and five of the finalists will be inducted in the second year of this format.
In addition to the modern-era finalists, the selection committee will also consider applications from veterans Ken Anderson, Roger Craig and LC Greenwood, head coach Bill Belichick and builder Robert Kraft. Between one and three of these finalists will be inducted into the Hall of Fame.
Only four people were admitted last year, constituting the smallest class in 20 years. Brees and Fitzgerald are the favorites among the new candidates this year.
Brees ranks second all-time to Tom Brady in air yards (80,358) and touchdown passes (571). He played the first five seasons of his career with the San Diego Chargers before signing as a free agent with the New Orleans Saints.
Brees won the Super Bowl with the Saints at the end of the 2009 season. He was selected to the Pro Bowl on 13 occasions, he was named the offensive player of the year in 2008 and in 2011, he was an All-Star in 2006 and he was chosen to the Second All-Star team four times.
Fitzgerald spent his entire career with the Arizona Cardinals, who selected him third overall in the 2004 draft. His 1,432 catches and 17,492 receiving yards in 17 seasons rank him second all-time behind Jerry Rice.
Fitzgerald reached the 1,000-yard mark on nine occasions and helped the Cardinals reach the Super Bowl after the 2008 season. He set NFL records in a single playoff run, with 546 yards and seven catches for a touchdown.
Witten was one of the most prolific slot backs in the NFL, with 1,228 catches and 13,046 yards, good for second all-time. He was a two-time All-Star with the Dallas Cowboys.
Gore ranks third in history with 16,000 rushing yards and nine seasons of 1,000 yards or more. He was selected to the Pro Bowl five times.
