Drew Brees, Larry Fitzgerald, Roger Craig, Luke Kuechly, and Adam Vinatieri Headline 2026 Hall of Fame Class - But London Fletcher Still Left Waiting
The Pro Football Hall of Fame unveiled its 2026 class Thursday night at NFL Honors, and the list is packed with legendary names. Drew Brees, Larry Fitzgerald, Roger Craig, Luke Kuechly, and Adam Vinatieri are all headed to Canton - a group that represents excellence across multiple eras and positions. But as the spotlight shines on the newest inductees, one name continues to be conspicuously absent: London Fletcher.
Once again, the former Washington linebacker didn’t make the final cut. Fletcher was among the 52 semifinalists named back in October, but when the list was trimmed to 15 finalists in December, his name was nowhere to be found. For fans and former players alike, the omission is becoming harder to understand - and harder to accept.
Brian Urlacher Makes the Case
During Super Bowl week in California, Hall of Fame linebacker Brian Urlacher didn’t mince words when asked about Fletcher’s continued absence from the Hall. Speaking with former Washington cornerback Fred Smoot, Urlacher offered a passionate defense of a player he not only competed against, but deeply respected.
“So, I feel like London should’ve been in a long time ago,” Urlacher said. “You look at his stats - you got me, Ray (Lewis), these are the guys I'm comparing to - Patrick Willis, he just got in.
He's a Hall of Famer, man. You look at his numbers.
He has like a million tackles. I played against him, I watched him play, he should be in the Hall of Fame.
I don't know why he doesn't get more play. It's frustrating.
He should be in. There's no doubt.”
Urlacher wasn’t just offering polite praise - he was clearly fired up.
“It pisses me off,” he added, before highlighting Fletcher’s ironman streak. “Two hundred and some games without missing a game, guys don't do that.”
And Urlacher’s not wrong. Fletcher’s durability wasn’t just impressive - it was historic.
Fletcher’s Resume Speaks for Itself
Let’s lay it out:
- 2,039 career tackles, one of only three players to ever cross the 2,000 mark.
- 256 consecutive games played - he never missed a single game. Not one.
- One of just five players in NFL history to play in 250 or more games.
- Four-time Pro Bowl selection
- Super Bowl champion
- 23 interceptions and 39 sacks - not just a tackler, but a playmaker.
Those are Hall of Fame numbers by any measure. Yet somehow, Fletcher remains on the outside looking in.
Why Is He Still Waiting?
There’s a frustrating trend when it comes to Hall of Fame voting, and Fletcher’s case puts it under the microscope. Too often, accolades like All-Pro selections or Pro Bowl nods become the shorthand for greatness - and while those honors matter, they don’t always tell the full story.
Players like Ray Lewis and Brian Urlacher were first-round picks with high-profile careers and plenty of media attention. Fletcher?
He was undrafted. He wasn’t flashy.
He didn’t have a signature dance or a national campaign behind him. What he had was production - consistent, elite-level production - for nearly two decades.
His lack of early-career hype or headline-grabbing moments shouldn’t overshadow what he did on the field. He was the heartbeat of defenses in St.
Louis, Buffalo, and Washington. He showed up every week, made every tackle, and led by example.
And he did it longer and more reliably than just about anyone.
Not Alone in the Waiting Room
Fletcher isn’t the only former Washington great still waiting for the Hall’s call. Joe Jacoby, a key piece of the Hogs offensive line, has been passed over for years.
Brian Mitchell, one of the most prolific return men in NFL history, also remains on the outside. But Fletcher’s case feels particularly urgent - not just because of what he did, but because of how long he’s done it without the recognition he deserves.
The Bottom Line
The 2026 Hall of Fame class is a strong one - Brees and Fitzgerald are no-brainers, and Kuechly’s short but dominant career earned him a spot. But London Fletcher’s continued omission is a glaring oversight.
As Urlacher said, “He’s a Hall of Famer, man.”
It’s time the voters started listening.