Charger Report

Chargers legends Drew Brees and Philip Rivers head 2026 Hall of Fame candidates

Justin Herbert is off to a hot start, but he'll have to keep it going to be in the class of all-time Los Angeles Chargers' greats Drew Brees and Philip Rivers.
Richie Whitt|
Saints quarterback Drew Brees (left) and Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers (17) during joint practice in 2018.
Saints quarterback Drew Brees (left) and Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers (17) during joint practice in 2018. | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

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Los Angeles Chargers

Justin Herbert is off to the hottest start of any quarterback in Los Angeles Chargers' history. And that's saying something, especially considering that two of the franchise's all-time best might wind up in the Pro Football Hall of Fame's next class.

The Hall of Fame has announced its initial 128 modern-era players nominated for the Class of 2026. Headlining the list of first-time candidates: Drew Brees and Philip Rivers.

MORE: Justin Herbert's heroics and winners & losers from Chargers' comeback win over Broncos

Rivers, who played for the Chargers 2004-2019, is the franchise's all-time leader in every passing category including completions (4,908), yards (59,271) and touchdowns (397). He made the Pro Bowl eight times before playing his final season with the Indianapolis Colts and retiring in 2020.

Brees, who played for the franchise 2001-2005, is sixth on the Chargers' passing list. He played his final 15 seasons with the New Orleans Saints, finishing as the NFL's second all-time leader in completions, passing yards and touchdowns behind only Tom Brady.

MORE: TV host claims Chargers' Harbaugh, Herbert better combo than peanut butter and jelly

Other repeat nominees with ties to the Chargers include fullback Lorenzo Neal and safety Rodney Harrison.

In the next step in the selection process, a Screening Committee will reduce the list to 50 in mid-October. That group will be trimmed to 25 and then 15 will considered finalists discussed for induction during Super Bowl LX in February.

Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers (17) against the Chiefs in 2019.
Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers (17) against the Chiefs in 2019. | Denny Medley-Imagn Images

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Richie Whitt
RICHIE WHITT

Richie Whitt has been a sports media fixture in Dallas-Fort Worth since graduating from UT-Arlington in 1986. His career is highlighted by successful stints in print (Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Dallas Observer), TV (NBC5) and radio (105.3 The Fan). During his almost 40-year tenure, he's blabbed and blogged on events ranging from Super Bowls to NBA Finals to World Series to Stanley Cups to Olympics to Wimbledons to World Cups. Whitt has been covering the NFL since 1989, and in 1993 authored The 'Boys Are Back, a book chronicling the Dallas Cowboys' run to Super Bowl XXVII.

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