The backlog at wide receiver appeared to start breaking last year. Texans star Andre Johnson was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2024, a move that seemed to open doors for Wayne and Rams legend Torry Holt, who has been on the ballot since 2014 and a finalist since 2020.

Vinatieri, 52, played collegiately at South Dakota State from 1991-94 before going undrafted in 1996. He signed with the Amsterdam Admirals of the World League of American Football as both a kicker and a punter before signing with the Patriots later that year.

Adam Vinatieri, who won four Super Bowls during a 24-year career, and six-time Pro Bowler Reggie Wayne were finalists for Canton.