My 2026 Football Hall of Fame Ballot

I've been talking about the Pro Football Hall of Fame enough over the past week that I figured it was time to actually reveal my selections.  I've been incredibly critical of the selection process, which resulted in a class of only four (of a possible eight) last year and likely won't give us the maximum number again this year.  We already know that Bill Belichick didn't get in.  I just hope our Modern-Era player class is more than last year's ridiculously low three.  Especially since there are two guaranteed first-ballot Hall of Famers up for election.

There are actually four players who could be first-time electees, but it's probably a stretch to think that Frank Gore and Jason Witten will be joining Larry Fitzgerald and Drew Brees in this year's class.  I'm not even 100 percent sure about Brees.  The only player I can say with absolute certainty will get in is Larry Fitzgerald.

As for who'll join him in Canton, I have no freakin' clue!  I don't think anybody does (except for the voters and the inductees).  Predicting who'll get into the Pro Football Hall of Fame each year has turned into a virtually impossible challenge.  Especially with this new wrinkle of it not necessarily being five Modern Era players every year.

So, this isn't my attempt to predict who'll be in this year's class.  Because it would be a guess.  Nothing more.  Rather, it's the eight people I would've voted for if I had an actual vote.  Which includes at least one person I know didn't get in.  Because, yes, Belichick is one of the names.  I'm starting with the five Modern Era candidates, though.

Larry Fitzgerald, Wide Receiver (2004-20 Cardinals): This should be an easy one.  But we also said that about Belichick, so who knows?  Seriously, though, if 11 or more of those voters didn't have Larry Fitzgerald on their ballot, why are they even Hall of Fame voters?  He might be the second-greatest receiver in NFL history behind Jerry Rice.  Larry Fitz spent his entire career in Arizona and actually made the Cardinals relevant, including their only Super Bowl appearance.  And he had 1,400 freakin' catches in his career!

Drew Brees, Quarterback (2001-05 Chargers, 2006-20 Saints): While Fitzgerald is the clear leader of the pack, Brees isn't far behind.  His going to the Saints is one of the greatest free agent signings in NFL history, changing the fortunes of both that team and that city.  Brees was a damn good quarterback, too!  He's second all-time in both passing yards and passing touchdowns.  Yet, he wasn't named to the NFL 100 All-Century Team despite being ahead of both John Elway and Dan Marino (who were) in both categories.

Terrell Suggs, Linebacker/Defensive End (2003-18 Ravens, 2019 Cardinals, 2019 Chiefs): Is it possible that Terrell Suggs is still underrated?  I thought he'd get in last year, and he didn't even make the final cut to seven.  He makes my cut to five, though.  Suggs was a part of that dominant Ravens defense that won Super Bowl XLVII, was a Defensive Rookie of Year and Defensive Player of the Year, and is the NFL's all-time leader in tackles for loss.

Adam Vinatieri, Kicker (1996-2005 Patriots, 2006-19 Colts): It was kind of surprising that Vinatieri made it all the way to the final cut in his first year on the ballot.  Although, it's also completely understandable.  Simply put, he's the greatest, most clutch kicker in NFL history.  That Patriots dynasty doesn't start without Vinatieri, first in the Tuck Rule game vs. Oakland, then in the Super Bowl against the Rams.  And why not kick another last-second field goal to win the Super Bowl two years later?  It would be kind of fitting if both he and Robert Kraft go in together this year.

Jason Witten, Tight End (2003-17, 2019 Cowboys, 2020 Raiders): My final Modern Era player selection came down to two first-timers--Jason Witten and Frank Gore.  Ultimately, I decided to go with Witten.  The fact that he only missed one game in 17 seasons while playing such a physically demanding position as tight end really stuck out to me.  He retired in 2018, but it didn't take, and he played every game for the next two years.  Witten's 1,228 career receptions are fourth-most all-time and second-most for a tight end, behind only Tony Gonzalez.

Now's where it gets hairy.  One of the voters who didn't vote for Belichick lamented the fact that he couldn't vote for the seniors and Kraft and Belichick.  I have the same problem.  I want to vote for four of the five Senior/Coach/Contributor candidates, but can only put a maximum of three.  Which left me with just one senior!  So, unfortunately, I had to drop L.C. Greenwood, the only member of that Steel Curtain defense who isn't in Canton and I absolutely believe should be.  I've even strongly advocated for him in the past.  But, if I'm only picking one senior, it had to be someone I've been advocating for longer and who's omission from Canton has been a huge miss.  Until now.

Roger Craig, Running Back (1983-90 49ers, 1991 Raiders, 1992-93 Vikings): Roger Craig was Marshall Faulk and Christian McCaffrey before Marshall Faulk and Christian McCaffrey.  It absolutely blows my mind how he's been overlooked by the Hall of Fame all this time!  Craig won three Super Bowls in San Francisco and was one of the most important pieces for that 49ers offense.  He was the first player in NFL history with 1,000 yards rushing and receiving in the same season.  He led the league in receptions in 1985.  As a freakin' running back!  With the Super Bowl being hosted by the 49ers this season, it's time for him to finally get his just due and receive the biggest cheers of them all when the class is announced.

Bill Belichick, Coach (1991-95 Browns, 2000-23 Patriots): Belichick's resume speaks for itself.  Even the 11 people who didn't vote for him acknowledge that.  Six Super Bowl wins as a head coach with an additional two as a Giants assistant.  Nine Super Bowl appearances as a head coach.  Architect of the greatest dynasty in NFL history.  This really should've been as big a no-brainer as Tom Brady will be in a few years.

Robert Kraft, Owner (1994- Patriots): When Robert Kraft bought the Patriots, they were one of the worst teams in the league.  He immediately turned the franchise around and didn't just build a dynasty, he established a model for success for other teams to follow.  Kraft's impact goes far beyond Bradicheck, too.  He's played an instrumental role in labor negotiations and been a key voice in establishing the league's broadcast contract.  He and Jerry Jones are arguably the two most important owners in football.  Jerry Jones is already in the Hall of Fame.  Time for Kraft to join him.

Other than Larry Fitzgerald, I have no idea who'll actually get in!  So, I'm not even gonna try!  I'll just let myself be surprised during the NFL Honors like everybody else.  Although, I sure hope Roger Craig and L.C. Greenwood finally get their long overdue Hall of Fame call (posthumously in Greenwood's case).