(AP) — Quarterback Drew Brees and receiver Larry Fitzgerald were picked in their first year of eligibility as two of the nominees among modern era players for the 2026 Pro Football Hall of Fame class.
Brees and Fitzgerald were two of the most prolific producers in the passing game in NFL history with Brees ranking second all time in yards passing and touchdowns, and Fitzgerald ranking second in career receptions and yards receiving.
Eleven other players in their first year of eligibility were picked among the 128 modern-era nominees for this year’s class.
The other nominees in their first year of eligibility are quarterbacks Philip Rivers and Alex Smith; tight ends Greg Olsen and Jason Witten; running backs Frank Gore and LeSean McCoy; offensive linemen David DeCastro and Maurkice Pouncey; defensive linemen Geno Atkins and Jurrell Casey; and linebacker Thomas Davis.
Jurrell Casey, a five-time Pro Bowler, spent nine seasons with the Tennessee Titans before announcing his retirement in 2021, per the NFL.
Slideshow: Pro Football Hall of Fame nominees in their first year of eligibility
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Los Angeles Chargers outside linebacker Thomas Davis (58) stands on the sideline before an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack) -
Former Titans defensive tackle Jurrell Casey cuts up as he signs autographs before an NFL football game between the Atlanta Falcons and the Tennessee Titans Sunday, Oct. 29, 2023, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne) -
Cincinnati Bengals defensive tackle Geno Atkins (97) before an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys in Cincinnati, Sunday, Dec. 13, 2020. (AP Photo/Bryan Woolston) -
Pittsburgh Steelers center Maurkice Pouncey (53) and offensive guard David DeCastro (66) play during the first half of an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2019. (AP Photo/Don Wright) -
Former Philadelphia Eagles LeSean McCoy answers questions at the press conference for being inducted to the Eagles Hall of Fame prior to the NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024, in Philadelphia. The Eagles won 28-23. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola) -
Former San Francisco 49ers running back Frank Gore stands on the sidelines before an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Doug Murray) -
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Jason Witten (82) in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) -
Sportscaster Greg Olsen talks along the sideline before an NFL football game between the Minnesota Vikings and the Detroit Lions Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn) -
Former NFL quarterback Alex Smith waves to the crowd during the third inning of a baseball game between the San Francisco Giants and the Miami Marlins, Tuesday, June 24, 2025, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez) -
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Phillip Rivers looks on from the sidelines during the first half of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings in Carson, Calif., Sunday, Dec. 15, 2019. (AP Photo/Kelvin Kuo) -
FILE – Larry Fitzgerald Jr. holds a ball on the field before an NFL football game between the New Orleans Saints and the Baltimore Ravens in New Orleans on Nov. 7, 2022. Fitzgerald has transitioned smoothly to the corporate world since playing his last game with the Arizona Cardinals in 2020. Fitzgerald is aiming to help young athletes maximize their earning potential with more financial opportunities available to them now than ever before. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert, File) -
Drew Brees waves to the crowd during the first half of an NFL football game between the Los Angeles Chargers and the Denver Broncos, Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Carrie Giordano )
A screening committee will reduce the candidates to 50 in October with the full 50-member selection committee reducing the list to 25 and then 15 finalists, who will be voted on by the selection meeting before the Super Bowl in February.
Four players have already guaranteed themselves spots in the final 15 after making it down to the final seven players in the 2025 class with Willie Anderson, Torry Holt, Luke Kuechly and Adam Vinatieri taking those spots.
The other returning finalists are Eli Manning, Fred Taylor, Steve Smith Sr., Reggie Wayne, Jahri Evans, Marshall Yanda, Terrell Suggs and Darren Woodson.
In addition to the 15 modern era finalists, the selection committee will consider three seniors, one coach and one contributor for the Class of 2026. Between four and eight new members will be elected in the second year of this current format.
Only four people got in last year for the smallest class in 20 years.
Brees and Fitzgerald are the top new candidates this year.
Brees is second all time to Tom Brady with 80,358 yards passing and 571 touchdown passes. He spent the first five seasons of his career with the San Diego Chargers before signing as a free agent with the Saints in 2006, where his career took off as he helped revive a city still recovering from Hurricane Katrina.
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Brees delivered New Orleans its first Super Bowl title following the 2009 season when he won MVP of the game after beating Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts. Brees made the Pro Bowl 13 times in his career, won AP Offensive Player of the Year in 2008 and 2011, was an All-Pro in 2006 and was a second-team All-Pro four times.
Fitzgerald spent his entire career with the Arizona Cardinals after being drafted third overall 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 nine times — tied for the fourth most ever — and helped the Cardinals reach their only Super Bowl following the 2008 season. Fitzgerald set single-season records that postseason with 546 yards receiving and seven TD catches, including a go-ahead 64-yard score with 2:37 to play before Pittsburgh rallied for a 27-23 win over Arizona.