INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — The Pro Football Hall of Fame has reduced its list of 2026 modern-era candidates to 26 semifinalists, and there is some serious Indianapolis Colts flavor among the group.

Three players who spent all or most of their careers with the Colts made the cut: wide receiver Reggie Wayne (2001-14), edge rusher Robert Mathis (2003-16), and kicker Adam Vinatieri (2006-19).

Also making the list were former Colts who spent a brief period of their careers in Indianapolis, running back Frank Gore (2015-17) and quarterback Philip Rivers (2020). This is the first year of eligibility for enshrinement for both players.

Wayne, Mathis, and Vinatieri were all members of the Colts' Super Bowl XLI-winning team as well as the squad that made it to, but lost in, Super Bowl XLIV.

Wayne, who has been the Colts' wide receivers coach since 2022, was a three-time All-Pro (one First-Team) and six-time Pro Bowler. He finished his career with 1,070 receptions for 14,345 yards and 82 touchdowns in the regular season, along with 93 catches for 1,254 yards and another nine touchdowns in the playoffs.

Mathis was a First-Team All-Pro in 2013 who also led the NFL in sacks that season (19.5). He was a five-time Pro Bowler who is tops in NFL history in forced fumbles with 52. For his career, he finished with 123.0 sacks and 108 tackles for loss. In the playoffs, he had another 6.5 sacks, four tackles for loss, and five forced fumbles.

Vinatieri is the NFL's all-time leader in points scored (2,673) and holds numerous meaningful kicking records, both in Colts franchise and NFL history. He's a four-time Super Bowl winner, three-time First-Team All-Pro, and three-time Pro Bowler. For his career, he made 599-of-715 field goals (83.8%) and 874-of-898 extra points (97.3%). In the playoffs, he made 53-of-69 field goals (81.2%) and 70-of-71 extra points (98.6%).

The selection committee unveiled a group of 128 candidates in September, cut it down to 52 in October, and now 26. There will be 15 finalists announced later this year.

Because Vinatieri reached the final seven candidates for last year's class, he will automatically be included in the final 15 for next year's consideration, which will be reduced to 10, seven, and then five.

The official class will be voted on and determined ahead of Super Bowl LX and then announced at the NFL Honors ceremony in February.

Jake Arthur has been covering the Indianapolis Colts for over a dozen years and is a member of the PFWA. He's one half of the Locked On Colts podcast and has worked for the Colts' official website, On SI, and more. You can follow him on X @JakeArthurNFL.