Pro Football Hall of Fame releases list of modern-era players who survived first reduction vote. Drew Brees, Eli Manning & Philip Rivers among the 52.

Drew Brees and Larry Fitzgerald are one step closer to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Brees and Fitzgerald, who are each in their first year of eligibility, were among 52 players who moved forward to the next round of voting for the Class of 2026 as announced Wednesday by the Hall of Fame.

Quarterback Drew Brees and receiver Larry Fitzgerald advanced to the next stage of consideration for the 2026 Pro Football Hall of Fame class in their first yea

Drew Brees among five former Saints announced as Hall of Fame Class of 2026 nominees originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here. The NFL announced the Pro Football Hall of Fame Modern-Era players candidates for the Class of 2026 on Wednesday morning.

New Orleans Saints all-time passing leader Drew Brees advanced to the next step of his inevitable election into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Wednesday, when he became one of 52 modern-era players to proceed ahead in the voting process for the Class of 2026.