Broncos’ Hall of Fame Candidates Narrow to One Finalist
In a significant development for the Denver Broncos, the list of candidates for the 2026 Pro Football Hall of Fame has been reduced to one modern-era finalist, defensive lineman Simeon Rice. This outcome follows the elimination of all seven senior nominees from the voting process.
Overview of Final Candidates
Simeon Rice played for the Broncos during a brief period in 2007. His contributions included a total of seven tackles, two pass breakups, and one quarterback hit across seven games. After being released by the Broncos, he had short stints with the Indianapolis Colts and the UFL’s New York Sentinels.
Other Candidates Eliminated
Among the notable players who did not advance from the group of 52 modern-era candidates are:
- Wide Receiver Rod Smith
- Center Tom Nalen
- Left Tackle Ryan Clady
- Pass Rusher Elvis Dumervil
- Wide Receiver Brandon Marshall
- Wide Receiver Wes Welker
- Wide Receiver Brandon Lloyd
- Tight End Vernon Davis
- Running Back Jamaal Charles
- Defensive Lineman Jurrell Casey
- Defensive Tackle Ted Washington
Coaching Finalists
In addition to Rice, former Broncos coaches Mike Shanahan and Dan Reeves remain in contention. They are vying for a spot as one of the coach finalists. A single coach finalist will be announced in November from a pool of 12 candidates.
Upcoming Hall of Fame Milestones
The list of modern-era player candidates is expected to be narrowed down to 25 semifinalists later this fall, with further voting to take place. The complete 2026 Hall of Fame class will be unveiled prior to the Super Bowl in February.
Fans of the Broncos are encouraged to stay updated through the Emegypt website and follow relevant social media channels for the latest news on these Hall of Fame candidates.
