Jason Witten and Darren Woodson have been named finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame class of 2026 - putting them one step closer to immortality.
Two Dallas Cowboys greats are one step closer to having their legacies immortalized in pro football glory.
Jason Witten and Darren Woodson were each named finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame's 2026 class. Fifteen total players made it through to the final round of voting.
Witten is in his first year of candidacy on the ballot after a historic career as Tony Romo's go-to tight end for 11 Pro-Bowl seasons in Dallas.
He is the Cowboys' all-time leader in career receptions, receiving yards and games played.
"First of all, Jason, to me, is a first-ballot NFL player," Jerry Jones said after the semifinalists were announced. The Hall-of-Fame owner went on to share the iconic story of when his star player had a ruptured spleen and was questioning whether he would play in the upcoming game - one of the many examples of Witten's perseverance against and reliability to always put the team first.
Though the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio could be saving a spot for his bust, it's certain that Witten will have his place in the Cowboys' Ring of Honor very soon, just as former teammate DeMarcus Ware has received recently, along with Woodson previously.
For "Woody", this Hall of Fame news is the same story, different year.
It's the fourth consecutive cycle where the Cowboys' all-time leader in tackles has made it through to the final voting round. He is still waiting for one more round of positive votes after spending the lat 18 years on the ballot.
"I got to deal with it. It is what it is. It sucks. I wish I could walk in and grab that gold jacket. It’s painful, it really is," Woodson said to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram last year after another season of misfortune.
Jones had a more deliberate reaction to why Woodson has not yet been voted in.
"Darren Woodson, I'm shocked we're even having this discussion. He should've been in years ago. Really, candidly," Jones said.
"I said 'Well, maybe safeties have a little bit ... and I know I sound condescending when I say it. That's a shame. Because what Darren meant to this team for years and years and years, what he meant to the NFL and how he represented the game is what the Hall of Fame is all about, as far as being included in it."
Woodson spent 12 fantastic seasons in Dallas, notably playing a key part on a defense that helped the Cowboys win three Super Bowls alongside Hall of Fame offensive playmakers Troy Aikman, Emmitt Smith and Michael Irvin.
Woodson has already earned his recognition from Jones in the organization's Ring of Honor, but the ultimate distinction of immortality is, yet again, within reach.
“At my core, I’m more competitive than anyone else," he said. "It’s being patient, understanding that there are other people that are on that list who have had to be patient as well.”
Dallas was one of four teams represented with two candidates in the finals, including the Saints with Drew Brees and Jahri Evans, the Colts with Adam Vinatieri and Reggie Wayne, the Ravens with Terrell Suggs and Marshall Yanda.
The following individuals rounded out this year's finalist class: Bengals' Willie Anderson, Cardinals' Larry Fitzgerald, 49ers' Frank Gore, Rams' Torry Holt, Panthers' Luke Kuechly, Giants' Eli Manning and Vikings' Kevin Williams.
The official 2026 Pro Football Hall of Fame class will be announced at the NFL Honors ceremony on Feb. 5.
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