10 great NFL players eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2026
cory woodroof
·1-min read
LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 01: Larry Fitzgerald #11 of the Arizona Cardinals smiles during a post game interview after a 44-6 win over the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on January 1, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) ORG XMIT: 681242369 ORIG FILE ID: 630777536
The five years needed from retirement to eligibility will pass for these all-time great NFL players, who range from an all-time wide receiver in Arizona Cardinals legend Larry Fitzgerald and Super Bowl-winning New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees.
There are some possible first-time ballot Hall of Famers on this list on both sides of the ball.
Aug 3, 2017; Canton, OH, USA; Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) warms up before playing the Dallas Cowboys at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
QB Drew Brees
MIAMI GARDENS, FL - FEBRUARY 07: Quarterback Drew Brees #9 of the New Orleans Saints reacts to a play against the Indianapolis Colts during Super Bowl XLIV on February 7, 2010 at Sun Life Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
TE Jason Witten
ARLINGTON, TEXAS - SEPTEMBER 08: Tight end Jason Witten #82 of the Dallas Cowboys celebrates scoring a touchdown during the second quarter of the game against New York Giants at AT&T Stadium on September 08, 2019 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) ORG XMIT: 775374608 ORIG FILE ID: 1173204506
WR Julian Edelman
Sep 13, 2020; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman (11) runs with the ball during the second half of a game against the Miami Dolphins at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports
WR Dez Bryant
Sep 10, 2017; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys receiver Dez Bryant (88) prior to the game against the New York Giants at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports ORG XMIT: USATSI-358856 ORIG FILE ID: 20170910_mje_se2_794.jpg
TE Greg Olsen
Dec 1, 2019; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers tight end Greg Olsen (88) runs on to the field before the game at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
QB Philip Rivers
OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 07: Philip Rivers #17 of the Los Angeles Chargers runs onto the field for pregame warm ups prior to the start of a game against the Oakland Raiders at RingCentral Coliseum on November 07, 2019 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) ORG XMIT: 775374732 ORIG FILE ID: 1186200526
RB Frank Gore
Kirby Lee / USA Today Sports
LB Thomas Davis
Nov 25, 2018; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers outside linebacker Thomas Davis (58) runs on to the field before the game at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
RB Todd Gurley
Oct 28, 2018; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Rams running back Todd Gurley (30) runs for a third quarter touchdown against the Green Bay Packers at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
