2026 Pro Football Hall of Fame: Meet the new members

Highlighting the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2026 are two of the game’s most remarkable passers and receivers, showcasing a legacy of excellence.

This class was revealed on Thursday evening during the NFL Honors show in San Francisco, featuring quarterback Drew Brees—one of only two quarterbacks to surpass 80,000 career passing yards—and wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald, who ranks second in career receptions and receiving yards, trailing only the legendary Jerry Rice.

Also inducted are linebacker Luke Kuechly and kicker Adam Vinatieri. Running back Roger Craig, among the three Senior finalists, will be part of the 2026 Hall class, too.

Brees and Fitzgerald enter in their first year of eligibility, while Kuechly and Vinatieri mark their second. importantly absent is former Patriots coach Bill Belichick, who was a finalist from the coaches’ subcommittee, alongside New England owner Robert Kraft as a finalist from the contributors’ subcommittee.

The selection for this year’s class was made by the Hall’s board of selectors in a virtual meeting format. The newly inducted Hall of Famers will receive their honors on August 8 in Canton, Ohio.

Here’s an in-depth look at the Class of 2026.

Drew Brees, quarterback

San Diego Chargers, 2001-2005; New Orleans Saints, 2006-2020

Brees possessed remarkable precision and instincts, overcoming a smaller stature (6 feet, 209 pounds) with elite accuracy. His journey began as a second-round pick for the Chargers in 2001, but setbacks such as being replaced by Philip Rivers and a significant shoulder injury in 2005 raised doubts about his future. but, he transformed his career by signing with the Saints in 2006 and leading them to their sole Super Bowl victory three years later.

Why he was selected: Brees ranks second all-time in passing yards (80,358), touchdown passes (571) and completions (7,142), while holding third place in completion percentage (67.7%). His accolades include 13 Pro Bowls and two NFL Offensive Player of the Year awards. He achieved the unprecedented milestone of throwing for over 5,000 yards in a season five times, maintaining a streak of 54 consecutive regular-season games with a touchdown pass with Sean Payton managing the offense. The list of his passing records is extensive.

Signature moment: An unmistakable highlight is Super Bowl XLIV following the 2009 season. Brees showcased his talent with an exceptional 32-for-39 performance for 288 yards and two touchdowns, earning MVP honors in the Saints’ 31-17 victory over the Indianapolis Colts—a triumphant return for both Brees and the city of New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina devastated it in 2005. — Cimini

Quotable: “One of his greatest strengths was in the pocket. He was a great foot athlete, able to make subtle movements and deliver. His decision-making and ability to make the right throws in crucial moments made him one of the toughest and most courageous players I’ve seen.” — Sean Payton, former Saints coach and current Denver Broncos coach

Roger Craig, running back

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

A four-time Pro Bowl selection, Craig played an integral role on three Super Bowl-winning teams in San Francisco. Hall of Fame coach Bill Walsh viewed him as a pivotal player who revolutionized the position. importantly, Craig was the first NFL player to achieve over 1,000 rushing yards and 1,000 receiving yards in the same season, accomplishing this remarkable feat in 1985 with a league-leading 92 catches for 1,016 yards and six touchdowns, alongside 1,050 rushing yards and nine additional touchdowns.

Only Hall of Famer Marshall Faulk (1999) and Christian McCaffrey (2019) have replicated this accomplishment.

Why he was elected: Walsh’s innovative use of Craig forced defenses to rethink their strategies, establishing a new model for utilizing running backs effectively in the passing game for future years.

Craig earned a spot on the 1980s All-Decade team and participated in the postseason during every season of his career. Until now, he was the only running back included in the 1970s, 1980s, or 1990s All-Decade teams not yet enshrined in the Hall of Fame.

Signature moment: Craig’s hallmark high-knee running style was iconic, but his 16-yard touchdown catch-and-run in Super Bowl XIX left an enduring legacy—showing determination as he crossed the goal line for the 49ers’ final score in a 38-16 win over the Miami Dolphins. In that game, he accumulated 135 yards from scrimmage, striking for three touchdowns (one rushing, two receiving)—making history as the first player to score three TDs in a Super Bowl. — Legwold

Quotable: “I was never caught up in the glamour of being the team’s star player.” — Craig

Larry Fitzgerald, wide receiver

Arizona Cardinals, 2004-2020

Fitzgerald epitomized excellence over his 17-season career. The Cardinals selected him third overall in 2004, and he consistently exhibited durability, explosiveness, and a historical level of proficiency. For a wide receiver, the primary responsibility is to catch the ball, and few executed this better than Fitzgerald, who recorded only 35 drops throughout his career.

His total of 1,431 receptions and 17,492 receiving yards ranks him behind only Jerry Rice, with Fitzgerald leading by over 100 receptions and 1,500 yards ahead of the next closest player.

Why he was selected: Fitzgerald is among the most decorated wide receivers of his era, named one of the NFL’s 100 greatest players and boasting a résumé that features 11 Pro Bowl selections and inclusion on the 2010s All-Decade team. His remarkable longevity is also noteworthy, leading the league in catches at just 22 years old (103) and doing so again at age 33 (107)—the widest gap in history.

Unlike Rice, Fitzgerald didn’t consistently benefit from having a Hall of Fame quarterback throughout his career. even if Kurt Warner was with him for five seasons, there were numerous seasons marked by a rotation of quarterbacks. Nevertheless, Fitzgerald elevated the franchise, which had made the playoffs only once (in 1998) over the 21 seasons preceding his arrival.

Signature moment: While some may point to his 75-yard catch-and-run in overtime that ignited the Cardinals’ divisional-round victory over the Green Bay Packers in 2015, it’s hard to overlook his spectacular postseason in 2008. Across four games, including Super Bowl XLIII, Fitzgerald was a dominant force—30 receptions for 546 yards and seven touchdowns—making it one of the most impressive postseason performances in NFL history. — Cimini

Quotable: “Greatness! I’ve coached numerous outstanding wide receivers over the years, but Larry’s hands were unparalleled. You seldom heard the ball touch his hands. His performance throughout the seasons I coached him was phenomenal, but his 2008 playoff run was simply extraordinary. He carried our entire team on his back until just minutes away from winning a Super Bowl.” — Todd Haley, former Cardinals offensive coordinator

Luke Kuechly, linebacker

Carolina Panthers, 2012-2019

Kuechly’s eight-year career exemplified quality over quantity. He earned seven Pro Bowl selections and five All-Pro honors, along with being selected for the 2010s All-Decade team.

Named Defensive Player of the Year in 2013 during his second season, Kuechly faced at least three reported concussions. Following the 2019 season, he made the decision to retire, recognizing it was “the right thing to do.”

Why he was elected: Kuechly and Hall of Famer Lawrence Taylor stand as the only linebackers to win both the Defensive Rookie of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year awards. He was a dynamic three-down player who consistently accumulated over 100 tackles in each of his eight seasons while leading the league in tackles twice (2012 and 2014). In addition to tackles, Kuechly recorded 67 pass deflections and 18 interceptions.

Signature moment: Kuechly had multiple moments to choose from, but two of his standout plays came during the Panthers’ run to Super Bowl 50 in the 2015 season, with Kuechly returning interceptions for touchdowns in the divisional round against Seattle and the NFC Championship against Arizona. — Legwold

Quotable: “The only way I’ve known to play the game since childhood is to play fast, physical, and strong.” — Kuechly, reflecting on his retirement

Adam Vinatieri, kicker

New England Patriots, 1996-2005; Indianapolis Colts, 2006-2019

Vinatieri set nearly every kicking record during his illustrious 24-year career. His remarkable achievements include all-time records for field goal attempts (715), successful field goals (599), games played (365), consecutive field goals made (44), and total scoring (2,673 points).

He recorded 29 winning field goals, with a record 10 occurring in overtime. plus, he holds NFL postseason records for most points (238), attempts (69), and made field goals (56).

Vinatieri was honored with a place on the NFL’s 100th anniversary team, joining Jan Stenerud and Morten Andersen as the third pure kicker inducted into the Hall of Fame.

Why he was elected: Beyond his extensive records, Vinatieri is celebrated for his unwavering reliability in crucial postseason situations. During his decade with the Patriots, the team reached four Super Bowls, winning three of them, often thanks to Vinatieri’s game-winning kicks in two of those victories.

In 14 seasons with the Colts, he appeared in two Super Bowls, triumphing in one, where he contributed 11 points in the rainy 29-17 Super Bowl XLI win over the Bears.

Signature moment: His infamous 45-yard field goal amidst a blizzard in the 2001 divisional game against the Raiders, dubbed the “Tuck Rule” game, forced overtime, where he again kicked the game-winner. This performance helped propel the Patriots into the Super Bowl, where Vinatieri kicked the decisive field goal to secure a 20-17 victory over the Rams, starting the team’s dynastic era. — Legwold

Quotable: “Adam Vinatieri is the greatest kicker of all time, and he made the greatest kick of all time.” — Bill Belichick on Vinatieri’s retirement