Drew Brees, Eli Manning Among Football Hall of Fame Finalists
A golden generation of quarterbacks helped usher in a new era of NFL football during the 2000s, and two of those quarterbacks could receive professional football's greatest honor later this year.
Former New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees and ex-New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning are each on the list of finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2026. Brees joins as a finalist in his first year of eligibility, while Manning is on the finalists' ballot for the second time.
Brees and Manning are joined by several contemporaries, including former Arizona Cardinals great Larry Fitzgerald, tight end Jason Witten and running back Frank Gore.
The finalists for the 2026 Pro Football Hall of Fame: pic.twitter.com/YAFxhMCH1p
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 30, 2025
Brees Included on First Hall of Fame Ballot
Brees, Fitzgerald, Witten and Gore represent the four new finalists from the modern era of professional football, while senior candidates include former New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick and team owner Robert Kraft. Ken Anderson, Roger Craig and L.C. Greenwood are also under consideration as senior candidates.
Brees enters candidacy in his first year of eligibility, and his induction is seen as a formality among most NFL fans and analysts. The former Purdue Boilermaker ended his career with 80,358 passing yards and 571 touchdown passes - second only to Tom Brady in the all-time rankings.
Congrats to @DrewBrees and @J_7TRE_E - one step closer to the @ProFootballHOF! pic.twitter.com/zMll6gDnwV
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) December 30, 2025
After playing the first five seasons of his career with the then-San Diego Chargers, Brees signed with the New Orleans Saints in 2006. He went on to become a beloved member of the New Orleans community, helping the city recover after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina.
On the field, Brees led the Saints to their first and (to date) only Super Bowl championship, defeating Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts.
Eli Manning: Potential Hall of Fame Quarterback
Manning's younger brother Eli is eligible for induction for the second time, and brings an impressive resume of his own. Eli Manning played his entire career with the New York Giants, leading them to two Super Bowl victories over the New England Patriots.
Eli Manning is one of 15 Finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame's Class of 2026 ???? pic.twitter.com/sn9d8imih7
— New York Giants (@Giants) December 30, 2025
Manning is one of six players to receive the Super Bowl MVP award on multiple occasions, joining current Hall of Famers Bart Starr, Terry Bradshaw and Joe Montana. Tom Brady and Patrick Mahomes - two future Hall of Famers - round out that list.
Other finalists back on the ballot after making it in previous years include wide receiver Torry Holt, linebacker Luke Kuechly, offensive lineman Willie Anderson and kicker Adam Vinatieri.
A 50-member committee will vote on the list of finalists, and the results will be announced on February 5th at the annual NFL Honors show. Between three and five of the finalists will be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in early August.