Class Of 2026 Modern Preliminary List

[Brian wolf]

Only 128 nominees, with 13 new additions ... Hopefully not too many undeserving or scratch-your-head selections.

[SeahawkFever]

How would you all rank the quarterbacks on the modern prelim list?

Alphabetically they are:
Drew Brees
Randall Cunningham
Rich Gannon
Jeff Garcia
Eli Manning
Donovan McNabb
Steve McNair
Philip Rivers
Alex Smith

[Brian wolf]

Brees

E Manning
McNabb
McNair
Cunningham
Rivers

Gannon
Smith
Garcia

[ChrisBabcock]

Because they reached the final seven for the Class of 2025, nominees Willie Anderson, Torry Holt, Luke Kuechly and Adam Vinatieri automatically advance to the final 15 for the Class of 2026.

^^^
In the fine print beneath the list of preliminary nominees on the HOF's website. Apparently I missed this change in the bylaws in which guys can get a free pass into the group of 15. I'd say they're all group of 15 worthy, but still.

[Brian wolf]

I could still see Vinatieri and Belichick getting in this year before Kraft but we will see. Just too many qualified newcomers for me to feel Vinny will get in the final 7, two years in a row.

Would love to see Witten make the final 10, though in years past he might have been a first ballot choice. I hope he and teammate Darren Woodson dont cancel each other out. There could be Cowboys fatigue however?

[Brian wolf]

I feel for certain players that didnt make this list, even though they would have a hard time advancing anyway ...

No ... Stepnoski, Gostkowski, Erik Williams, Talib, Portis, Fryar, Ricky Williams, DARREN SPROLES* Demaryius Thomas, Heath Miller(but Zack Miller?) McGinest, Henry Thomas, Romo, Rison, Simmons.

*Edited ... with Hester being elected, Sproles omission might prove what I believe. That the door is shut for other great special teams players like Woodson, Brown, Johnson, Upchurch, Metcalf, Mitchell, Cribbs and Patterson to get elected.

[rewing84]

I feel for certain players that didnt make this list, even though they would have a hard time advancing anyway ...

No ... Stepnoski, Gostkowski, Erik Williams, Talib, Portis, Fryar, Ricky Williams, DARREN SPROLES* Demaryius Thomas, Heath Miller(but Zack Miller?) McGinest, Henry Thomas, Romo, Rison, Simmons.

*Edited ... with Hester being elected, Sproles omission might prove what I believe. That the door is shut for other great special teams players like Woodson, Brown, Johnson, Upchurch, Metcalf, Mitchell, Cribbs and Patterson to get elected.

Erik Williams made the prelim list Brian

[Brian wolf]

Thanks Robert ... cant believe I missed him

[conace21]

How would you all rank the quarterbacks on the modern prelim list?

Alphabetically they are:
Drew Brees
Randall Cunningham
Rich Gannon
Jeff Garcia
Eli Manning
Donovan McNabb
Steve McNair
Philip Rivers
Alex Smith

Brees

Rivers
Eli
McNabb
Cunningham
McNair
Garcia
Gannon
Smith

[rewing84]

Thanks Robert ... cant believe I missed him

No problem Brian