Quarterbacks Drew Brees and Philip Rivers, together with broad receiver Larry Fitzgerald, tight finish Jason Witten and operating again Frank Gore made it to the semifinal stage of their first 12 months of eligibility for the Professional Soccer Corridor of Fame.
The 5 newcomers are among the many 26 trendy period candidates who superior to this stage in voting performed by the complete 50-member choice committee for the category of 2026.
The choice committee will subsequent scale back the checklist to fifteen finalists, who can be voted on earlier than the Tremendous Bowl in February.
4 gamers have already assured themselves spots within the remaining 15 after making it all the way 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.
Offensive lineman Lomas Brown and defensive lineman Kevin Williams have been the opposite two candidates who reached the semifinal stage for the primary time. The opposite semifinalists are Hines Ward, Richmond Webb, Steve Wisniewski, Rodney Harrison, Earl Thomas, Vince Wilfork and Robert Mathis.
Along with the 15 trendy period finalists, the choice committee will contemplate three seniors, one coach and one contributor for the category of 2026. Between 4 and eight new members can be elected within the second 12 months of this present format.
Solely 4 individuals obtained in final 12 months for the smallest class in 20 years.
Brees and Fitzgerald are the highest new candidates this 12 months.
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 total profession with the Arizona Cardinals after being drafted third general 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 the fourth most ever — and helped the Cardinals attain their solely Tremendous Bowl following the 2008 season. Fitzgerald set single-season information 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.
Rivers ranks seventh all time with 63,four hundred and forty yards passing in a profession spent principally with the Chargers. He made eight Professional Bowls and gained the 2013 AP Comeback Participant of the 12 months.
Witten was one of the crucial prolific tight ends ever together with his 1,228 catches and 13,046 yards rating second finest 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 transient 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 targets within the first two Tremendous Bowl victories throughout New England’s dynasty.
He helped launch the run with one of many sport’s biggest kicks – a 45-yarder within the snow to pressure additional 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 targets (599) over a 24-year profession with New England and Indianapolis. He additionally leads all gamers with 56 discipline targets and 238 factors within the postseason.
Holt was a key a part of the Rams’ “Best Present on Turf,” serving to the staff 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 staff.
Holt completed his profession with 920 catches for 13,382 yards and 74 TDs.
Anderson was thought of one of many high proper tackles in his period after being a first-round decide by Cincinnati in 1996. He spent practically his total profession with the Bengals and made three straight All-Professional groups from 2004-06.