Former Chargers teammates Philip Rivers and Drew Brees are among first ballot modern-era candidates for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2026 announced Wednesday.

Brees, who went on to win a Super Bowl and reach prolific production levels as a quarterback with the New Orleans Saints, Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald, tight ends Jason Witten and Greg Olsen and linebacker Thomas Davis also are on the list of newly eligible candidates with a total of 128 modern-era players receiving nominations.

At least three of the candidates will make of the Hall of Fame class announced before Super Bowl LX in February in Santa Clara, Calif.

The nominees are narrowed by the Hall of Fame selection committee to 25 semifinalists during the regular season.

From there a vote to reduce

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