Latest news with #ProFootballHallofFameClassof2026
USA Today
3 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Two former Patriots eligible for 2026 Pro Football Hall of Fame class
Former New England Patriots kicker Stephen Gostkowski and wide receiver Julian Edelman were listed among the first-time eligibles for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2026, via ESPN's Adam Schefter. They'll soon join a long list of players hoping to be permanently enshrined in Canton. Gostkowski had a remarkable career with the Patriots, stepping in after the departure of Adam Vinatieri in 2006. He spent 14 seasons with the Patriots, finishing as the franchise's all-time leading scorer with 1,775 points. He won three Super Bowls with the organization and led the league in scoring five times. He was also the NFL record holder for most consecutive extra points made with 523 across regular and postseason play. Edelman, who is set to be inducted into the Patriots Hall of Fame, was one of the league's greatest playoff performers. He trails only Jerry Rice and Travis Kelce in all-time receptions and receiving yards in the postseason, with 118 receptions for 1,442 yards. He recorded 620 career receptions for 6,822 yards and 36 touchdowns. The former Kent State product has been a part of three Super Bowl teams, and he won the MVP for Super Bowl LIII. There are no guarantees that Gostkowski or Edelman will get into the Hall of Fame, but they'll have their fair shot like all of the rest in 2026 and beyond. Follow Patriots Wire on Twitter and Facebook.
USA Today
07-02-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Todd Gurley among first-time eligibles for 2026 Hall of Fame class
With the 2025 Pro Football Hall of Fame class being selected, the attention now turns to those eligible to be elected next year. Players who last took the field in 2020 are eligible for the first time in 2026, a group that's led by Drew Brees, Larry Fitzgerald, Philip Rivers, Frank Gore and Jason Witten. Somehow, Todd Gurley is also already eligible for the first time. Gurley, 30, played his last NFL snaps in 2020 with the Falcons, which was just his sixth season in the league. That makes him a first-time eligible next year in what's a strong class that will also feature Torry Holt, who will be in his 12th year of eligibility after being snubbed again this year. Gurley played only six years in the NFL, five with the Rams. He was a three-time Pro Bowler, AP Offensive Rookie of the Year, AP Offensive Player of the Year and two-time first-team All-Pro. First-time eligibles for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2026 include: 🏈Larry Fitzgerald 🏈Drew Brees 🏈Philip Rivers 🏈Jason Witten 🏈Frank Gore 🏈Julian Edelman 🏈Maurkice Pouncey 🏈LeSean McCoy 🏈Thomas Davis 🏈Greg Olsen 🏈Alex Smith 🏈Dez Bryant 🏈Stephen Gostkowski… — Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 7, 2025 His career was brief but incredibly productive, leading the NFL in total touchdowns in back-to-back years in 2017 and 2018. He even finished second in MVP voting in 2017, which was his first season in Sean McVay's offense. Gurley was the 10th overall pick in the 2015 NFL draft out of Georgia. His career was cut short by knee injuries, but he played at least 12 games in all six seasons and at least 15 games four times, so he was actually fairly durable for a running back. Gurley's case for the Hall of Fame is hurt by how short his career was but in his prime, there was no other running back in the NFL who could match his production.
