Pro Football Hall of Fame class being selected, the attention now turns to those eligible to be elected next year. Players who last took the field in 2020 are eligible for the first time in 2026, a group that’s led by Drew Brees,

The Pro Football Hall of Fame's Class of 2026 could feature some difficult decisions as the board of selectors balances the extended wait for some with the lure of several decorated first-time eligible players.

Three of the 15 modern-era finalists made the Class of 2025: cornerback Eric Allen, defensive end Jared Allen, and tight end Antonio Gates. (Wide receiver Sterling Sharpe, the fourth member of the class, was a senior candidate after previously not getting in as a modern-era candidate.)

The Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2025 was unveiled on Thursday night, which meant that the list of players eligible for 2026 induction became