Drew Brees and Larry Fitzgerald Headline Five-Member Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2026

The Pro Football Hall of Fame announced its Class of 2026 during the NFL Honors ceremony in San Francisco on Thursday evening, with legendary quarterback Drew Brees and wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald headlining a five-member group that also includes linebacker Luke Kuechly, kicker Adam Vinatieri, and running back Roger Craig. The announcement marks the culmination of years of anticipation for Brees and Fitzgerald, both first-ballot Hall of Famers in their inaugural year of eligibility who left indelible marks on the NFL during illustrious careers. Drew Brees, who retired after the 2020 season following 20 years in the NFL, ranks second all-time in passing yards (80,358) and passing touchdowns (571) while leading the New Orleans Saints to their only Super Bowl championship in franchise history. The 13-time Pro Bowler transformed the Saints from perennial losers into consistent contenders and became the face of New Orleans' recovery after Hurricane Katrina. Brees holds numerous NFL records including most career completions (7,142), most consecutive games with a touchdown pass (54), and most seasons with 5,000 or more passing yards (five). His precision passing, leadership, and ability to elevate those around him made him one of the most respected quarterbacks of his generation. Larry Fitzgerald, who played 17 seasons with the Arizona Cardinals from 2004 to 2020, finished his career with 17,492 receiving yards (second all-time) and 121 touchdown receptions. The 11-time Pro Bowler and future Hall of Famer was known for his professionalism, consistency, and remarkable hands, never recording fewer than 54 receptions in any season where he played at least 12 games. Fitzgerald's 2008 playoff performance, where he caught 30 passes for 546 yards and seven touchdowns in four games, remains one of the greatest postseason runs by a wide receiver in NFL history. Beyond his on-field excellence, Fitzgerald earned widespread respect for his character, community involvement, and sportsmanship throughout his career. Luke Kuechly, the Carolina Panthers linebacker who retired prematurely in 2020 at age 28 due to concussion concerns, earned his Hall of Fame jacket in just his second year of eligibility. The seven-time Pro Bowler and five-time First-Team All-Pro was the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2013 and Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2012. Kuechly's football IQ, sideline-to-sideline speed, and instinctive playmaking ability made him one of the most dominant defensive players of the 2010s despite his shortened career. He led the NFL in tackles three times and recorded over 100 tackles in all eight of his professional seasons. Adam Vinatieri, widely regarded as the greatest clutch kicker in NFL history, enters the Hall in his second year of eligibility after a 24-season career with the New England Patriots and Indianapolis Colts. The four-time Super Bowl champion is best remembered for his game-winning field goals in Super Bowl XXXVI and XXXVIII that launched the Patriots dynasty, as well as his "Snow Bowl" kick against Oakland in the 2001 playoffs. Vinatieri retired as the NFL's all-time leading scorer with 2,673 points and remains the only player in league history to score 1,000 points with two different franchises. Roger Craig, the Seniors Committee selection, finally receives his Hall of Fame honor after years of being overlooked despite his revolutionary impact on the running back position. The three-time Super Bowl champion with the San Francisco 49ers in the 1980s was the first player in NFL history to record 1,000 rushing yards and 1,000 receiving yards in the same season (1985). Craig's versatility as both a runner and receiver helped define Bill Walsh's West Coast offense and changed how coaches utilized running backs in the passing game. His 566 career receptions ranked second all-time among running backs at the time of his retirement. The enshrinement ceremony will take place in Canton, Ohio, in August 2026.