Quarterback Drew Brees and receiver Larry Fitzgerald have advanced to the next stage of consideration for the 2026 Pro Football Hall of Fame class in their first year of eligibility. Six other players in their first year of eligibility have also advanced from the original list of 128 modern-era nominees to the 52 that will be considered by the full selection committee. The full 50-member selection committee will reduce the list to 25 and then 15 finalists, who will be voted on by the committee before the Super Bowl in February. Brees and Fitzgerald are the top new candidates this year.