Only 1 49ers legend has legit chance of making 2026 Hall of Fame class

Last year, the NFL inducted four new modern-era players into the Pro Football Hall of Fame: tight end Antonio Gates, wide receiver Sterling Sharpe, cornerback Eric Allen, and defensive end Jared Allen were those four.

This year, the league has officially begun the process for the next round of Hall of Fame inductees. Two former San Francisco 49ers players join quarterback Drew Brees and wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald as first-time eligible players, quarterback Alex Smith and running back Frank Gore, who were also nominated to the 2026 Hall of Fame class in their first year of eligibility.

NFL.com also published an online article this week, citing, "128 modern-era players nominated for Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2026." They also stated, "The roster of nominees consists of 77 offensive players, 42 defensive players and nine special teams players."

ESPN was one of the first news outlets to report the list of retired athletes who are nominated in the 2026 Hall of Fame class.

Smith is not only competing for a spot in the Hall of Fame this year against Brees, he is also vying for the same honor as quarterback Philip Rivers, who finished with more wins, passing yards, and twice as many touchdown throws.

Other quarterbacks nominated for the Hall of Fame this year are Randall Cunningham, Jake Delhomme, Rich Gannon, Eli Manning, Donovan McNabb, Steve McNair, and another former 49er in Jeff Garcia.

Smith, meanwhile, may have a more difficult chance that one of his former teammates.

Frank Gore could be the only former 49er in the 2026 Hall of Fame class to make it.

Twenty years ago, the Niners used a third-round pick in the NFL Draft to bring in the University of Miami Hurricanes running back. In his first season with the league, Frank Gore racked up 608 rushing yards on 127 carries, while scoring three touchdowns.

That was just a taste of what was to come. Gore rushed for over 1,000 yards in eight of his next nine seasons, all of which were with the 49ers. He scored at least eight touchdowns in half of his seasons for San Francisco.

Gore showed he was a threat as a pass catcher, too. The former 49ers running back tallied 3,985 passing yards and hauled in 18 reception touchdowns.

Having also played for the Indianapolis Colts, Miami Dolphins, Buffalo Bills, and the New York Jets, Gore finished his NFL career scoring 100 total touchdowns. He signed a one-day contract with San Francisco to announce his retirement in early June of 2022.

Now, he awaits the committee and the league's process on whether or not he gets into the Hall of Fame. Gore is in great shape to make the 2026 Hall of Fame as he has 10 more rushing touchdowns that Terrell Davis and more rushing yards than LaDainian Tomlinson, Barry Sanders, and Jerome Bettis, among others.

Being the No. 3 all-time leading rusher in NFL history doesn't hurt either.

What's the next step of the process for the 2026 Hall of Fame class?

"A screening committee will reduce the candidates to 50 in October with the full 50-member selection committee reducing the list to 25," according to the Associated Press (AP). "Then, 15 finalists, who will be voted on by the selection meeting before the Super Bowl in February."

Furthermore, according to NFL.com and the league's bylaws, "In the next step in the selection process, a Screening Committee will reduce the list to 50 (plus ties, if any, for the 50th spot). The results of that reduction will be announced in mid-October."

"The full 50-person Hall of Fame Selection Committee then will reduce the list further -- to 25 Semifinalists, later this fall. Another vote will create the list of 15 Modern-Era Player Finalists who will be discussed at the annual selection meeting ahead of Super Bowl LX. The Class of 2026 can consist of three, four or five Modern-Era Players under the Hall of Fame's bylaws."

Time will tell who makes the final cut for the Hall of Fame this year.

Gore may have a running start over Smith and several other candidates.