New Orleans Saints legends Drew Brees and Jahri Evans have been named finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2026, being among 15 selected to advance to the final round of voting from the 128 modern era nominees.
Brees spent 15 seasons of his 20-year NFL career with the Saints and currently ranks second all-time in league history in passing yards (80,358) and passing touchdowns (571), first in completions (7,142), fourth in wins (172) and third in completion percentage (67.7).
He leads New Orleans in every statistical passing category and is in his first year of eligibility for the Hall of Fame, after retiring in 2020.
Brees joined the Saints as an unrestricted free agent in 2006, after playing his first five seasons with the San Diego Chargers.
He led New Orleans to victory in Super Bowl XLIV during the 2009 season and from 2006-20, Brees was named All-Pro five times, was a Pro Bowler 13 times, twice was named NFL Offensive Player of the Year, and set NFL records with five 5,000-yard passing seasons, 54 consecutive games with a touchdown pass, most touchdown passes in a game (seven) and the highest single-season completion percentage (74.4).
This will be Evans' third consecutive season as a as a finalist after he was selected as a finalist for the class of 2024 and 2025.
The right guard is the latest addition to the Saints Ring of Honor. The former fourth-round pick (No. 108 overall) by the Saints in 2006 touts an accomplished resumé that includes six Pro Bowl selections, five All-Pro selections (four First-Team All-Pro), being named to the Saints 50th Anniversary Team and the NFL 2010s All-Decade Team. He also helped the 2009 Saints to a victory in Super Bowl XLIV.
Evans started all 183 regular-season games he played, 169 with the Saints and has since gone on to coach for the Saints working as the assistant offensive line coach.
Additional finalists include defensive tackle Kevin Williams who was with the Saints in 2015 as well as quarterback Eli Manning and wide receiver Reggie Wayne, who are both New Orleans natives.
The Selection Committee may elect up to five modern-era Players for the Class of 2026; each must receive a minimum positive vote of 80% for election. The Hall of Fame's selection process bylaws currently stipulate that between four and eight members shall be selected from the 15 Modern Era finalists plus three seniors, one coach and one contributor.
The Pro Football Hall of Fame's Class of 2026 will be announced at "NFL Honors" in San Francisco in February and enshrined in August in Canton.
