The New England Patriots narrowed down the field for their 2026 Hall of Fame selection.
New England revealed three nominees for this year's Hall of Fame enshrinement on Wednesday. Rob Gronkowski, Adam Vinatieri or Logan Mankins will become the franchise's latest inductee.
Fans have until Tuesday, April 28, to cast their votes. Only one of the trio will make the Hall of Fame this year.
ESPN's Mike Reiss noted on Sunday that 23 members of the Patriots Hall of Fame Committee convened last Wednesday to choose the finalists. Gronkowski, Vinateri and Mankins advanced to the last stage over Julius Adams, Dont'a Hightower, Lawyer Milloy, Mosi Tatupu and Wes Welker.
Reiss also called Gronkowski the "heavy favorite" to get inducted this year. The legendary tight end scored 91 touchdowns in nine seasons with the Patriots, postseason included, and played a pivotal role on three Super Bowl champions.
Gronkowski must wait another year before he's eligible to join Vinatieri in Canton. The kicker was inducted into the 2026 Pro Football Hall of Fame class that controversially omitted his former Patriots head coach, Bill Belichick.
Vinatieri holds the NFL record for points in the regular season (2,673) and playoffs (238). He made game-winning field goals to secure two Super Bowl titles for the Pats.
Mankins protected Tom Brady for eight seasons, starting 147 games on New England's offensive line. The left guard received five consecutive Pro Bowl nods from 2009 to 2013, drawing a first or second-team All-Pro designation each year.
The Patriots will announce the Hall of Fame selection shortly after the fan vote closes.
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