Drew Brees, Larry Fitzgerald, Frank Gore Among Pro Football Hall of Fame First-Year Nominees

Brees ranks second all-time in passing yards, Fitzgerald has the second-most receiving yards, and Gore is third all-time in rushing yards.

Quarterback Drew Brees (9) of the New Orleans Saints celebrates his second quarter touchdown pass against the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Divisional Playoff Game at Mercedes Benz Superdome on Jan. 13, 2019, in New Orleans, La. Chris Graythen/Getty Images

It was just last month that the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2025 was inducted into Canton, Ohio, but it’s never too soon to look ahead. On Tuesday, the Pro Football Hall of Fame revealed its Class of 2026 nominees for the most exclusive club in sports. Thirteen players are first-time nominees, highlighted by quarterback Drew Brees, running back Frank Gore, wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald, and tight end Jason Witten.

Players must have been retired for five seasons in order to be eligible for the Hall of Fame, meaning that those who last played in the 2020 NFL season are the ones who qualify for first-time nomination. The other first-year nominees include quarterbacks Philip Rivers and Alex Smith, running back LeSean McCoy, tight end Greg Olsen, offensive linemen David DeCastro and Maurkice Pouncey, defensive linemen Geno Atkins and Jurrell Casey, and linebacker Thomas Davis.