.jpg)
1 hour ago
3
The 2026 Pro Football Hall of Fame induction ceremony is full of stars, with five of the game's best players finally reaching football immortality.
The five-player class has a variety of names and accomplishments, representing all three phases of the game. From a quarterback known for putting up huge numbers to a defender whose short career was still plenty impactful, this class is memorable with deserving honorees.
Each new member of the Hall of Fame will receive a gold jacket and bust during induction weekend, joining the exclusive club in Canton, Ohio. Meet the newest members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
MORE: Where is the NFL Hall of Fame game played?
Meet the 2026 Pro Football Hall of Fame class
Drew Brees, QB, 2001-2020
- Teams: Chargers, Saints
- Pro Bowls: 13
- All-Pros: 5
- Super Bowl rings: 1
- Draft: Second round, 2001, pick No. 33 from Purdue
Brees headlines the class as the lone quarterback of the five-member group. Drafted by the Chargers in 2001, Brees dealt with injuries in San Diego before going to the Saints, where he blossomed into one of the best quarterbacks of all time.
Brees led the league in passing yards six times, ending his career as the NFL's all-time passing yards leader until Tom Brady passed him. Brees and Brady are the only two players to throw for more than 80,000 yards in their careers, while Brees is also second to Brady in career passing touchdowns. While Brees never won an MVP award, his numbers stack up with those of the other greats of his era.
Luke Kuechly, LB, 2012-2019
- Teams: Panthers
- Pro Bowls: 7
- All-Pros: 7
- Super Bowl rings: 0
- Draft: First round, 2012, pick No. 9 out of Boston College
It's a testament to Kuechly's dominance that he made the Hall of Fame on his second year of eligibility despite playing just eight years in the NFL. Kuechly was the heartbeat of the Panthers defense, making eight-straight Pro Bowls and All-Pro teams while leading the league in tackles twice as arguably the best linebacker in the league.
Kuechly retired at 28 years-old due to concussion issues, but he made enough of a difference in the league to got into the hall at the age of 35.
Larry Fitzgerald, WR, 2004-2020
- Teams: Cardinals
- Pro Bowls: 11
- All-Pros: 3
- Super Bowl rings: 0
- Draft: First round, 2004, pick No. 3 out of Pittsburgh
Many people gave Fitzgerald a gold jacket after his dominant playoff run in 2008, in which he totaled 546 receiving yards and seven touchdowns in four games as the Cardinals lost the Super Bowl. Besides that, Fitzgerald was one of the most consistent players in the NFL for 17 years, leading the league in both catches and receiving touchdowns twice while producing nine 1,000-yard seasons.
Fitzgerald ended his career with 17,492 receiving yards, which is second to Jerry Rice all time, and 121 touchdowns, which is sixth all time.
Roger Craig, RB, 1983-93
- Teams: 49ers, Raiders, Vikings
- Pro Bowls: 4
- All-Pros: 2
- Super Bowl rings: 2
- Draft: Second round, 1983, pick No. 49 out of Nebraska
Craig is the oldest member of this class and waited a long time, but was elected by the Seniors Blue-Ribbon Committee and Contributor Blue-Ribbon Committee. Despite playing just 11 seasons, Craig was a key member of the 49ers dynasty, winning two Super Bowls and making four Pro Bowls.
Craig became the first player in NFL history to produce 1,000 rushing yards and receiving yards in the same season. In 1988, he was named the Offensive Player of the Year after producing a career-high 1,502 rushing yards.
Adam Vinatieri, K, 1996-2019
- Teams: Patriots, Colts
- Pro Bowls:
- All-Pros:
- Super Bowl rings:
- Draft: Undrafted, 1995 out of South Dakota State
Vinatieri is now just the third full-time kicker to make the Hall of Fame, joining Jan Stenerud and Morten Andersen, doing so in just his second year on the ballot. Vinatieri played 24 years in the NFL for the Patriots and Colts, giving both Tom Brady and Peyton Manning a top-tier kicker.
Vinatieri retired as the NFL's all-time leading scorer, producing 2,673 points in over two decades as a kicker. He won four Super Bowls in his career and made several of the biggest kicks in NFL history to secure multiple championships for New England.
English (US)