Drew Brees among first-time eligibles for 2026 Hall of Fame - ESPN

The Pro Football Hall of Fame's Class of 2026 could feature some difficult decisions as the board of selectors balances the extended wait for some with the lure of several decorated first-time eligible players.

Quarterback Drew Brees, wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald, tight end Jason Witten, running back Frank Gore and quarterback Philip Rivers will be among the players who will be in their first year of eligibility next year. All played their final NFL seasons in 2020.

And beyond that powerhouse list of players, there will be perhaps the biggest name of all in the coach/contributor categories: Bill Belichick.

With Tom Brady behind center, Belichick authored the most decorated run of the Super Bowl era. During his tenure with the New England Patriots from 2000 to '23, the team won six Super Bowls and played in nine AFC Championship games. He sits at No. 3 all-time in coaching victories with 302.

His 31 playoff wins are most all time and he was a three-time Coach of the Year. With the two Super Bowl rings he won as an assistant coach for the New York Giants, Belichick was part of eight Super Bowl wins.

Brees was the league's all-time leader in passing yards and completions when he retired (since passed by Tom Brady) and was second in touchdown passes. He was a 13-time Pro Bowl selection. He landed with the New Orleans Saints as a free agent in 2006 because the San Diego Chargers believed that Brees might have had a career-threatening shoulder injury. Brees led the league in passing yards seven times and touchdowns four times.

He has five of the 15 5,000-yard passing seasons in league history. Brady and Patrick Mahomes are the only other players with two or more 5,000-yard passing seasons in their careers. Brees also led the