Quarterback Drew Brees and receiver Larry Fitzgerald have been picked of their first yr of eligibility as two of the nominees amongst fashionable period gamers for the 2026 Professional Soccer Corridor of Fame class.
Brees and Fitzgerald have been two of essentially the most prolific producers within the passing sport in NFL historical past with Brees rating second all-time in yards passing and touchdowns, and Fitzgerald rating second in profession receptions and yards receiving.
Eleven different gamers of their first yr of eligibility have been picked among the many 128 modern-era nominees for this yr's class.
The opposite nominees of their first yr of eligibility are quarterbacks Philip Rivers and Alex Smith; tight ends Greg Olsen and Jason Witten; operating backs Frank Gore and LeSean McCoy; offensive linemen David DeCastro and Maurkice Pouncey; defensive linemen Geno Atkins and Jurrell Casey; and linebacker Thomas Davis.
A screening committee will scale back the candidates to 50 in October with the complete 50-member choice committee lowering the record to 25 after which 15 finalists, who will likely be voted on by the choice assembly earlier than the Tremendous Bowl in February.
4 gamers have already assured themselves spots within the closing 15 after making it right down to the ultimate seven gamers within the 2025 class with Willie Anderson, Torry Holt, Luke Kuechly and Adam Vinatieri taking these spots.
The opposite returning finalists are Eli Manning, Fred Taylor, Steve Smith Sr., Reggie Wayne, Jahri Evans, Marshall Yanda, Terrell Suggs and Darren Woodson.
Along with the 15 fashionable period finalists, the choice committee will think about three seniors, one coach and one contributor for the Class of 2026. Between 4 and eight new members will likely be elected within the second yr of this present format.
Solely 4 folks obtained in final yr for the smallest class in 20 years.
Brees and Fitzgerald are the highest new candidates this yr.
Brees is second all time to Tom Brady with 80,358 yards passing and 571 landing passes. He spent the primary 5 seasons of his profession with the San Diego Chargers earlier than signing as a free agent with the New Orleans Saints in 2006, the place his profession took off as he helped revive a metropolis nonetheless recovering from Hurricane Katrina.
Brees delivered New Orleans its first Tremendous Bowl title following the 2009 season when he received MVP of the sport after beating Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts. Brees made the Professional Bowl 13 instances in his profession, received AP Offensive Participant of the Yr in 2008 and 2011, was an All-Professional in 2006 and was a second-team All-Professional 4 instances.
Fitzgerald spent his whole profession with the Arizona Cardinals after being drafted third general in 2004. His 1,432 catches and 17.492 yards receiving in 17 seasons ranks second all-time to Jerry Rice.
Fitzgerald topped 1,000 yards receiving 9 instances — tied for the fourth most ever — and helped the Cardinals attain their solely Tremendous Bowl following the 2008 season. Fitzgerald set single-season data that postseason with 546 yards receiving and 7 TD catches, together with a go-ahead 64-yard rating with 2:37 to play earlier than Pittsburgh rallied for a 27-23 win over Arizona.
