Quarterback Drew Brees and broad receiver Larry Fitzgerald headline a bunch of 4 fashionable period finalists of their first yr of eligibility for the Professional Soccer Corridor of Fame.
Tight finish Jason Witten and working again Frank Gore have been the 2 different first-year-eligible gamers who have been additionally introduced Tuesday among the many 15 finalists.
Willie Anderson, Torry Holt, Luke Kuechly and Adam Vinatieri have been assured spots after advancing to the ultimate seven in voting for the 2025 class. There are six different returning finalists with Eli Manning, Reggie Wayne, Jahri Evans, Marshal Yanda, Terrell Suggs and Darren Woodson all making it again to this stage.
Defensive deal with Kevin Williams made it to the finalist stage for the primary time in his sixth yr of eligibility.
The finalists for the 2026 Professional Soccer Corridor of Fame: pic.twitter.com/YAFxhMCH1p
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 30, 2025
The 50-person choice committee will vote on the 15 finalists subsequent month with the outcomes introduced Feb. 5 at “NFL Honors.” Between three and 5 of the finalists will likely be inducted within the second yr of this present format.
Along with the trendy period finalists, the choice committee can even contemplate seniors candidates Ken Anderson, Roger Craig and L.C. Greenwood, teaching candidate Invoice Belichick and contributor Robert Kraft. Between one and three of these finalists will make it into the Corridor.
Solely 4 individuals bought 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 Saints in 2006, the place his profession took off as he helped raise a metropolis nonetheless recovering from Hurricane Katrina.
Brees delivered to New Orleans its first Tremendous Bowl title following the 2009 season, when he gained MVP of the sport after beating Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts. Brees made the Professional Bowl 13 instances in his profession, gained AP Offensive Participant of the 12 months in 2008 and 2011, was an All-Professional in 2006 and was a second-team All-Professional 4 instances.
Fitzgerald spent his complete profession with the Arizona Cardinals after being drafted third in 2004. His 1,432 catches and 17,492 yards receiving in 17 seasons rank second all time to Jerry Rice.
Fitzgerald topped 1,000 yards receiving 9 instances — tied for fourth most — 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 within the Tremendous Bowl earlier than Pittsburgh rallied for a 27-23 win over Arizona.
Witten was one of the crucial prolific tight ends along with his 1,228 catches and 13,046 yards, rating second greatest all time. Witten was a two-time All-Professional for Dallas and was a second-team All-Professional two different instances.
Gore ranks third all time with 16,000 yards speeding, with 9 1,000-yard seasons and 5 Professional Bowl honors.
Kuechly’s profession was temporary however impactful. The primary-round decide by Carolina in 2012 was an All-Professional 5 instances, with seven Professional Bowl nods and a Defensive Rookie of the 12 months award.
Over his eight-year profession, Kuechly led all linebackers within the NFL in tackles (1,090), takeaways (26), interceptions (18) and passes defensed (66).
Vinatieri was one of the crucial clutch kickers in NFL historical past, making the game-winning discipline objectives within the first two Tremendous Bowl victories of New England’s dynasty.
He helped launch the run with one of many sport’s biggest kicks — a 45-yarder within the snow to drive extra time within the “Tuck Rule” sport towards the Raiders within the 2001 divisional spherical. He made the game-winning kick in OT to win that sport after which hit a 48-yarder on the ultimate play of a 20-17 win within the Tremendous Bowl towards the Rams.
Vinatieri is the NFL’s profession chief in factors (2,673) and made discipline objectives (599) over a 24-year profession with New England and Indianapolis. He additionally leads all gamers with 56 discipline objectives and 238 factors within the postseason.
Holt was a key a part of the Rams’ “Biggest Present on Turf,” serving to the workforce win the Tremendous Bowl in his rookie season in 1999 and getting again there two years later. Holt led the NFL in yards receiving in 2000 and in catches and yards in 2003, when he made his solely All-Professional workforce.
Holt completed his profession with 920 catches for 13,382 yards and 74 TDs.
Anderson was thought-about one of many high proper tackles in his period after being a first-round decide by Cincinnati in 1996. He spent practically his complete profession with the Bengals and made three straight All-Professional groups from 2004-06.
Among the many candidates who did not advance from the 26 semifinalists have been quarterback Philip Rivers, who was taken off the poll when he got here out of retirement, and offensive lineman Steve Wisniewski, who was in his closing yr of eligibility as a contemporary period candidate.
Two finalists from final yr, working again Fred Taylor and receiver Steve Smith Sr., additionally did not advance.
