INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — Once again in 2026, the Indianapolis Colts will make a push to get some of their legends into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
This week, the Hall announced 128 modern-era nominees for the 2026 class, and among them were four players who spent all or most of their careers with the Colts: wide receiver Reggie Wayne (2001-14), edge rusher Robert Mathis (2003-16), kicker Adam Vinatieri (2006-19), and center Jeff Saturday (1999-2011).
Also making the list were some former Colts who spent a brief period of their careers in Indianapolis, including running back Frank Gore (2015-17), quarterback Philip Rivers (2020), edge rusher Simeon Rice (2007), and wide receiver/return specialist Josh Cribbs (2014). This is the first year of eligibility for enshrinement for both Gore and Rivers.
Wayne, Mathis, Vinatieri, and Saturday 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.
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.
According to NFL.com, "A Screening Committee will reduce the list (of 128) to 50 (plus ties, if any, for the 50th spot). The results of that reduction will be announced in mid-October."
The Hall's Selection Committee will then whittle the list of 50 down to 25 semifinalists later this fall. During the week of Super Bowl LX, the list will then be reduced to 15 finalists, when three to five modern-era players will then officially be elected into the class.
"In addition to 15 Modern-Era Player Finalists, the 50-member Pro Football Hall of Fame Selection Committee will discuss three Seniors Finalists, a Coach Finalist and a Contributor Finalist as potential members of the Class of 2026," NFL.com stated. "While there is no set number for any class, the selection process bylaws provide that between four and eight new members will be elected."
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.