GLENDALE – As NFL Honors inches closer and closer, the field for the 2026 Pro Football Hall of Fame class shrinks. The field has halved in size to a final 26 candidates, with Arizona Cardinals legendary wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald one of the semifinalists. Fitzgerald is one of three former Arizona players, with the other two being tackle Lomas Brown and edge rusher Terrell Suggs.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Despite it being only his first year on the ballot, Fitzgerald is one of the heavy favorites to be named to the 2026 class.
Sept. 14, 2008; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald against the Miami Dolphins at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Fitzgerald on the cusp of Hall of Fame berth:
Even though the 42-year-old is likely to be named at February’s NFL Honors show to be a Hall of Famer, the competition is some of the toughest in recent years. Quarterback Drew Brees, Philip Rivers and Eli Manning are all eligible, while fellow wide receiver Tory Holt, Hines Ward and Reggie Wayne are fellow semifinalists.
Brees and Rivers, like Fitzgerald, are first-time eligible NFL players to make it to Canton. The trio of names are all worthy to make it to the Hall of Fame, but being a first-ballot Hall of Famer isn’t easy to come by in recent years.
Wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald is nearing the end of his 16th NFL season, all with the Cardinals. © Michael Chow/USA TODAY NETWORK, Arizona Republic via Imagn Content Services, LLC
Regardless, the 11-time Pro Bowler is second all-time in catches and receiving yards, only behind Jerry Rice. Fitzgerald will forever be an Arizona sports legend and has an opportunity to have his legacy cemented by being named a first-ballot Hall of Famer in February.
Cardinals historic 27-24 loss to Jaguars takes team to new low
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Reporter Tanner Tortorella covers general assignment for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @TannerTSports
