Broncos have a dozen nominees for 2026 Pro Football Hall of Fame class

The 128 modern-era nominees for the Pro Football Hall of Fame class of 2026 were announced on Wednesday, and the Denver Broncos had 12 players in the mix

BY TRENT FINNEGAN

Sep 24, 2025, 1:08 PM Updated: 2:57 pm

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The Denver Broncos have a rich history filled with winning and talented players spanning multiple eras. As a result, the franchise has 15 players who are enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, along with Pat Bowlen, the greatest owner in franchise history who held the reins from 1984 to 2014.

The Hall of Fame announced the 128 modern-era players who are nominees for the 2026 HOF class, and 12 Broncos made the cut. In October, this list will get cut down to 50 before getting cut to 25 semifinalists and 15 finalists as the year goes on. Before the Super Bowl, a minimum of three and a maximum of five modern-era players will be able to be elected into the Hall.

Here’s who made the cut from the orange and blue. Some are Ring of Famers, some spent multiple years in the Mile High City, and some spent just a singular season here.

DT Jurrell Casey (2020)

Casey spent the first nine seasons of his career in Tennessee before suiting up for Denver in his final campaign — albeit for just three games. He was a five time Pro Bowler and was named to the All-Pro Second-Team in 2013. In Denver, he had 14 tackles and three pass breakups.

RB Jamaal Charles (2017)

Charles will always be remembered as a Chief, but he did spend one of his twilight years with the Broncos in 2017. In 14 games with Denver, he ran for 296 yards and one touchdown on 69 attempts. He averaged 5.4 yards per carry for his career and was always one of the quickest, flashiest backs in the NFL. He made four Pro Bowls, two All-Pro First-Teams and an All-Pro Second-Team.

T Ryan Clady (2008-15)

Clady spent seven of his eight years in the NFL with the Broncos. The tackle started all 98 games he played in for Denver, and throughout his career, was selected to four Pro Bowls, two All-Pro First-Teams, an All-Pro Second-Team and finished third in Rookie of the Year voting back in 2008.

TE Vernon Davis (2015)

Davis was practically a rental for the Broncos as they traded for him midway through the 2015 Super Bowl. In nine games, he had 20 catches for 201 yards, and didn’t catch a ball on the way to winning the Super Bowl. He made two Pro Bowls and an All-Pro Second-Team.

DE Elvis Dumervil (2006-12)

The five-time Pro Bowler and two-time First-Team All-Pro spent six of his 11 years in Denver, where he recorded 63.5 sacks, 225 tackles, 16 forced fumbles and an interception. In 2009, his 17 sacks led the NFL. He also has one of the biggest hits in the history of the franchise when he flipped Tom Brady upside down.

Tom Brady still has nightmares of when he got rocked by Elvis Dumervil pic.twitter.com/wTmxkEmhvg

— NFL Retweet (@NFLRT) July 27, 2015

WR Brandon Lloyd (2009-11)

Lloyd played for six different teams in his 11-year career, and spent three years with the Broncos. He had 104 receptions for 1,848 yards and 11 touchdowns. He had a breakout season with the Broncos in 2010 when he led the league in receiving with 1,448 yards, and made his only All-Pro Second-Team as a result.

WR Brandon Marshall (2006-09)

Everyone knows Marshall for his infamous game against the Colts in which he had 21 receptions, a single-game record that still has not been broken. He posted three consecutive 1,100+ yard campaigns before he was traded to Miami and bounced around the league later in his career. He made six Pro Bowls and two All-Pro teams (1x First, 1x Second).

Revisiting the game where Brandon Marshall’s 21 catches set the NFL single-game record 😤 pic.twitter.com/uoEJgSopDd

— NFL (@NFL) August 19, 2024

C Tom Nalen (1994-2007)

Nalen is the first Broncos Ring of Famer on this list (inducted in 2013). He spent all 14 years of his career in Denver where he helped lead a dominant rushing attack to two Super Bowls and added another five Pro Bowls of his own, along with three All-Pro selections. He started 188 games for Denver, the second-most in franchise history behind John Elway (231).

DE Simeon Rice (2007)

Rice spent half of the final season of his 12-year career with the Broncos. He played in six games, made seven tackles and defended two passes. He was voted as the 1996 Defensive Rookie of the Year and made three Pro Bowls and three All-Pro teams in his career.

WR Rod Smith (1995-2006)

Smith is the other Ring of Famer (2012 induction). Like Nalen, he spent all 12 of his years in Denver and was consistently one of the best receivers in the league. He finished with 11,389 yards and 68 touchdowns, and only had four seasons in which he didn’t eclipse the 1,000-yard mark. His 113 receptions in 2001 led the league, and he has three Pro Bowls and two All-Pro selections under his belt.

He’s responsible for one of the most memorable touchdowns in Broncos history in Super Bowl XXXIII.

John Elway ➡️ Rod Smith for an 80-yard touchdown!

Rewatch the @Broncos Super XXXIII victory TODAY at 3 pm ET on @NFLonFOX pic.twitter.com/LcxQ6C4Rxz

— NFL (@NFL) April 19, 2020

DT Ted Washington (1994)

Washington spent an astonishing 17 years in the NFL from 1991 to 2007, but only played in Denver for a singular season. He started 15 games and recorded 56 tackles, 2.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and an interception. He made four Pro Bowls and two All-Pro teams.

WR Wes Welker (2013-14)

Welker will be remembered as a Patriot, but had two valuable seasons with Peyton Manning and the Broncos. He only made five Pro Bowls and two All-Pro teams, but was consistently a nightmare for opposing teams throughout his entire career. If Brady or Manning needed to convert a third down, Welker was always open, as he led the league in receptions three different times. He had 122 receptions for 1,242 yards and 12 touchdowns in his two seasons in Denver.

Patrick Surtain, the father of star Broncos cornerback Pat Surtain II, also made the list.