The Pro Football Hall of Fame is one step closer to inducting its final class of 2026 inductees.
The selection committee announced 15 finalists on Tuesday, including two players from the Dallas Cowboys: former tight end Jason Witten and safety Darren Woodson.
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The remaining 2026 Hyundai finalists include Willie Anderson, Drew Brees, Jarre Evans, Larry Fitzgerald, Frank Gore, Torrey Holt, Luke Kuechly, Eli Manning, Terrell Suggs, Adam Vinatieri, Reggie Wayne, Kevin Williams and Marshal Yanda.
Witten spent 17 seasons in the NFL during his first year of eligibility, 16 of which were with the Cowboys (2003-2017, 2019) and his final season (2020) with the Las Vegas Raiders.
The former 2003 third-round draft pick totaled 1,215 receptions, 12,977 yards and 72 touchdowns during his time in Dallas. He ranks first in team history in catches and yards, and his 255 career games and 229 consecutive starts are also the most in Cowboys history.
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Witten was selected to the Pro Bowl 11 times in his career, was selected to the All-Pro First Team twice (2007, 2010) and twice to the All-Pro Second Team (2008, 2012), and won the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award in 2012.
Witten has long been known as “Ole Reliable” because he always excels in clutch and crucial situations and has been the biggest target of quarterback Tony Romo’s career.
“I think Jason Witten is in the conversation for the best Cowboys of all time, and there have been some great Cowboys,” Romo said in 2014, via ESPN. “He’s probably the best Dallas Cowboy ever.”
Woodson has been running for 18 years and is now a finalist for the fourth consecutive year.
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The legendary safety spent his entire 13-year career with the Cowboys (1992-2003).
A second-round pick out of Arizona State University in the 1992 NFL Draft, Woodson found immediate success in his career and served as a key figure in the Cowboys’ legendary dynasty of the ’90s, winning three Super Bowls in his first four years.
Considered by many to be the greatest safety in Cowboys history, Woodson was selected to five consecutive Pro Bowls from 1994 to 1998 and was selected to the All-Pro First Team three consecutive years from 1994 to 1996.
Woodson is known for his playing style. He’s one of the toughest safeties to hit, can dominate near the line of scrimmage and has the ability to cover opposing receivers in space.
He is the last active player on the Cowboys dynasty-era roster. Hall of Fame linebacker Larry Allen was the last player from the dynasty era, but he finished his career with the San Francisco 49ers and retired in 2008.
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In 2015, Woodson was inducted into the Cowboys Ring of Honor.
“For 13 years, [Woodson] “That’s all you can ask for,” Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said. “Selfless, dependable, dependable, a team player first, always a team leader. He is a living example of the saying, ‘Character does matter.'”
Woodson’s 1,350 career tackles are the most in franchise history and he also recorded 23 interceptions, 12 forced fumbles, 11 fumble receptions, 11 sacks and two defensive touchdowns.