Curt Popejoy, Steelers WireTue, November 25, 2025 at 2:39 PM UTC·1 min readThe 26 semifinalists for the 2026 class of the Pro Football Hall of Fame have been announced and one former Pittsburgh Steeler made the cut. For the 10th straight year, former Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward made the cut. Meanwhile outside linebacker James Harrison and center Maurkice Pouncey did not advance.
This Hall of Fame class is loaded, even at wide receiver, which makes Wards' chances slim of sneaking in this year despite a Hall of Fame-worthy resume. Just among the wide receiver position, there are several guys who could get in this year. The easiest one is Larry Fitzgerald, who is on the ballot for the first time and is practically a shoo-in. You add in Torry Holt, who had been a semifinalist 12 times, along with Steve Smith Sr. and Reggie Wayne, who joined him as 2025 finalists, and it doesn't feel like this is Ward's year.
The HOF will now take that list of 26 and pare it down to just 15 modern-era finalists. There's no official date yet but the final list should come out in late December.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThis article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: Steelers legend Hines Ward named HOF semifinalist for 10th straight year
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