Five former New Orleans Saints players have been nominated for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2026 in the Seniors category, including Saints Hall of Famers Pat Swilling , Vaughan Johnson and Eric Martin. A total of 162 players were nominated.

Swilling, a four-time All-Pro linebacker and a five-time Pro Bowler, played seven seasons with the Saints (1986-1992) and racked up 354 tackles, 76.5 sacks (fourth in team history), 24 forced fumbles, seven fumble recoveries and three interceptions — including one returned for a touchdown. He was named the 1991 NFL AP Defensive Player of the Year.

A fellow member of the legendary Dome Patrol linebacking core alongside Swilling, Johnson earned Pro Bowl honors four times as a Saint and was named second team All-Pro in 1989. He played in 120 career games for New Orleans and recorded 664 tackles, 12.0 sacks, 11 forced fumbles, five fumble recoveries and four interceptions in his eight seasons with the team (1986-1993).

A one-time Pro Bowler, Martin spent nine seasons with the Saints (1985-1993) and led the team in receiving yards for seven straight seasons (1987-1993). He ranks fourth all-time in receptions (532) and second in receiving yards (7,854) in franchise history.

Other players with ties to the Saints that were nominated include former Saints running back/kick returner Mel Gray (1986-1988), center Jay Hilgenberg (1993) and former wide receivers coaches Henry Ellard (2012-2014) and Harold Jackson (1997-1999).

Only players 25 years removed from their last NFL game are eligible for the Seniors category. In the coming weeks, the Seniors Screening Committee will cull the 162 down to 50. A second committee, the Seniors Blue-Ribbon Committee, will present three candidates of the 50 as finalists for a possible election to the Class of 2026 in late fall.