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2026 Pro Football Hall of Fame nominees revealed: Our Top 5 most deserving

The Pro Football Hall of Fame Committee has released a list of 128 Modern-Era Players who have been nominated for the class of 2026. It is composed of 77 offensive players, as well as 42 on defense, and nine on special teams.

The list will eventually be trimmed down to 15, with players needing 80 percent of the committee’s support to move on. The following will automatically advance to the final 15, because they reached the final seven for the Class of 2025:

• OT Willie Anderson
• WR Torry Holt
• LB Luke Kuechly
• K Adam Vinatieri

You can view the entire list of nominees here. Below, I present my Top 5 most deserving to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2026.

QB Drew Brees: For my money, Brees is the most obvious out of all 128 nominees. Throughout his 20-year NFL career, Brees threw for 80,358 yards — the second most in NFL history behind only Tom Brady. He is also second to Brady for the most touchdown passes ever with 571. Brees is a five-time All-Pro, 13-time Pro Bowl selection, and two-time Comeback Player of the Year. He led the New Orleans Saints to victory in Super Bowl XLIV, in which he won MVP.

WR Larry Fitzgerald: Fitzgerald played his entire 17-year NFL career with the Arizona Cardinals. He never won a Super Bowl, but came very close in Super Bowl XLIII, catching two touchdowns during the game. Fitzgerald finished his career second among all WRs in NFL history in receptions (1,432) and receiving yards (17,492). He has caught the sixth-most touchdowns ever with 121. His other accolades include being a three-time All-Pro selection, 11-time Pro Bowler, and the 2016 Walter Payton Man of the Year.

TE Jason Witten: Witten may not have had the swagger of a Travis Kelce or Rob Gronkowski, but he stood on business every time he took the field. Witten finished his 18-year NFL career ranked second among all tight ends in receptions with 1,228, and in receiving yards with 13,046. He ranks sixth with 74 receiving touchdowns. Witten was named an All-Pro four times, a Pro Bowler 11 times, and was named Walter Payton Man of the Year in 2012.

OG Marshal Yanda: Yanda made it to the final 15 for the Class of 2025, but didn’t make the cut. He should have, however, after a decorated 13-year NFL career. Yanda exceeded expectations as a third-round draft pick, being named an All-Pro seven times and a Pro Bowler on eight occasions. He is already in the Baltimore Ravens Ring of Honor, and is a member of the 2010s All-Decade Team. Yanda also played a key and underrated role in the Ravens winning Super Bowl XLVII.

OLB Terrell Suggs: Suggs was one of the most feared and unstoppable pass rushers of his era. He ranks eighth all time in sacks with 139, and third among players who are officially labeled as an outside linebacker rather than a defensive end. Suggs also wasn’t too shabby in coverage, recording seven interceptions, 63 passes defensed, and two touchdowns. He won Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2003, and Defensive Player of the Year in 2011. Suggs is a two-time All-Pro, seven-time Pro Bowler, and two-time Super Bowl champion.

Who will be the final undefeated team in the AFC and NFC?

There are six undefeated teams left in the NFL, three from the AFC and three from the NFC. Which squads from each conference will remain unbeaten the longest? Multiple members of our A to Z Sports staff weighed in.

AFC

Buffalo Bills: “The Bills have a defense that seems to find the right plays late in games and they have perhaps the best player in the NFL with quarterback Josh Allen. With an offense that is capable of pummeling teams and a quarterback that can put on the cape, it takes a very hyper-specific game plan to best the Bills assuming they don’t beat themselves. Buffalo plays their next two at home against the Saints and Patriots before hitting the road for two NFC South matchups with the Falcons and Panthers.

“Their most intimidating game on the schedule in the first 10 weeks of the season is a Week 9 date with the Chiefs — and even then, Buffalo has had regular season success against Mahomes and company. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 11 is another game to watch. If the Bills don’t beat themselves, they appear primed to have the longest stretch before the going gets tough.” —Kyle Crabbs

Indianapolis Colts: “The Colts being 3-0 feels like a fever dream after the team hadn’t even won the first game on their schedule for over a decade. How long can they keep it up, though? This next week will be a tough task as the Colts hit the road to take on the Los Angeles Rams. The Rams are coming off a tough loss in Week 3 where they appeared to have a win over the reigning Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles, but a blocked field goal returned for a touchdown at the buzzer flipped the script.

“Having to play a team after that kind of loss isn’t ideal for the Colts, but if they get passed them, they could go on a bit of a run. They play the Las Vegas Raiders and Arizona Cardinals in Weeks 5 and 6 before having to travel back to Los Angeles to take on the Chargers. My personal guess is the Colts’ undefeated streak will end in L.A. Whether that is Week 4 or Week 7, I’m not entirely sure.” —Destin Adams

Los Angeles Chargers: “The Los Angeles Chargers look primed to be the NFL’s last undefeated team, thanks to a balanced formula of star power and resilience. Justin Herbert has elevated his play to another level, thriving in Jim Harbaugh’s system with poise and efficiency while spreading the ball across the offense. On the other side, Jesse Minter’s defense has been nothing short of dominant, applying constant pressure and forcing opponents into mistakes. What sets this team apart, though, is its ability to overcome adversity.

“In Week 3, the Chargers pulled out a last-second win over Denver despite missing Khalil Mack and losing starters Trey Pipkins and Mekhi Becton on the offensive line. Rather than folding, Los Angeles leaned on its depth and toughness to get the job done. With Herbert leading the offense and Minter’s defense stifling opponents, the Chargers have the makeup of a team that can keep its perfect record intact longer than anyone else. Tough matchups win Weeks 5 & 7 against the Washington Commanders and Indianapolis Colts loom for the Chargers — but they get both teams at home. If the Chargers can take care of business through that matchup with the Colts? Road games in Jacksonville and Kansas City in Weeks 11 & 15 loom late.” —Brently Weissman

Indianapolis Colts News

The AFC’s final undefeated team will be the Bills, Colts, or Chargers — but one particular team has an inside edge to be the last unbeaten standing

Which AFC squad left at 3-0 has the best chance to be the NFL’s final undefeated program?

Brentley Weissman

NFC

Philadelphia Eagles: “Why the Eagles? Well, they’re the reigning champs, of course. This is all old-hat for the Birds. And don’t look now, but Jalen Hurts just remembered that he’s got A.J. Brown on the team in the second half against the Rams, too! In all seriousness, Philadelphia beats teams by first and foremost not beating themselves, playing methodical football for 60 minutes and by defeating you in the margins.

“It’s the little things — like the short-yardage conversion rates. Or the ability to put two defensive tackles next to one another and block two field goals down the stretch. Any team that wants to beat the Eagles is going to have to do so by out-performing their talent and then having their coach milk all the little margins that pop up across the course of a game, too. They’ll get a good test in Week 4, because their next opponent is none other than the…” —Kyle Crabbs

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: “Why the Bucs? Because the Bucs are showing they can beat teams with a half-healthy roster and they are going to get healthier over the next few weeks. They’ve been hit hard by injuries, but Calijah Kancey’s is the only one that’s long term. Tristan Wirfs and Chris Godwin Jr. are expected to return by Week 5 at the latest, and Luke Goedeke should be back around Week 8 or 9.

“The Bucs think Jalen McMillan can return around then, as well. Baker Mayfield is playing at a near-MVP level and the defense is one of the NFL’s best through three weeks. That shouldn’t change, either. The Bucs should only get better in the short-term and that’s a scary thought considering how they’ve managed to hold it together, so far. The best thing the Bucs have going in their bid to be the final unbeaten in the NFC? They play the Eagles at home in Week 4 and then the 49ers play in Los Angeles on Thursday night in Week 5. There could easily be one undefeated NFC team left in just 10 days.” —Evan Winter

San Francisco 49ers: “Why the 49ers? I mean why not. San Francisco has just been dealt one brutal hand after another and somehow manages to keep scratching out the wins. The latest injury to Nick Bosa is a total buzzkill though — he has a torn ACL and will miss the rest of the season.

“Even if they survive their Week 4 contest against Jacksonville, going to Los Angeles to play the Rams on a short week for Thursday Night Football has the makings of a potential defeat — especially with how undermanned the 49ers are with injuries. That’s the subplot that could derail things for the 49ers in their bid to keep this hot streak going. They’re banged up and the schedule is unkind in Week 5.” —Kyle Crabbs

Tampa Bay Buccaneers News

The NFC’s final undefeated team will be the Eagles, Buccaneers, or 49ers — although one thing could see the ranks of unbeatens whittle away sooner than later

Which NFC squad left at 3-0 has the best chance to be the NFL’s final undefeated program?

Evan Winter

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