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Brees, Fitzgerald Headline Pro Football Hall’s 2026 Class as Craig Ends 28-Year Wait

The Hall’s selection process is under renewed scrutiny after Bill Belichick and Robert Kraft were not elected.

Overview

  • The Class of 2026 announced at NFL Honors includes Drew Brees, Larry Fitzgerald, Adam Vinatieri, Luke Kuechly and senior inductee Roger Craig, with enshrinement set for Aug. 8 in Canton, Ohio.
  • Brees and Fitzgerald were first-ballot selections, Kuechly and Vinatieri were elected in their second year of eligibility, and Craig was the lone senior entrant after nearly three decades on the ballot.
  • Belichick, the coaching finalist, and Kraft, the contributor finalist, fell short alongside senior finalists Ken Anderson and L.C. Greenwood, with only Craig advancing from that pool.
  • Under current rules, a 50-person committee can vote for up to three candidates in the combined seniors/coach/contributor category, with 80% needed for automatic induction and the top vote-getter guaranteed a spot.
  • Responding to criticism and recent leaks, the Hall defended its procedures and said it will remove selectors found to have violated written bylaws.