LeSean McCoy, Asante Samuel, Troy Vincent, and Ricky Watters Move Closer to Canton in 2026 Hall of Fame Race

The road to Canton has narrowed once again — and four former Philadelphia Eagles legends are still in the running.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame announced the 52 modern-era players who advanced in the voting process for the Class of 2026, marking the second round of consideration before semifinalists are revealed in roughly five weeks. Among those 52 names are four players who left lasting legacies in Philadelphia: LeSean McCoy, Asante Samuel, Troy Vincent, and Ricky Watters.

Each of them carved out their own chapter in Eagles history — from McCoy’s record-breaking runs to Vincent’s lockdown coverage — and all now share a common pursuit: a bronze bust in Canton, Ohio.

LeSean McCoy: “Shady” Steps Into the Spotlight

This is LeSean McCoy’s first year of Hall of Fame eligibility, and it comes with a résumé worthy of attention. Over an 11-year NFL career, McCoy rushed for 11,102 yards and scored 89 total touchdowns, putting him among the most productive backs of his generation.

Drafted by the Eagles in the second round in 2009, McCoy quickly became one of the most dynamic playmakers in franchise history. His combination of vision, acceleration, and signature stop-start agility — the “Shady shuffle” — made him a nightmare for defenders and a fan favorite in Philadelphia.

His 2013 season remains the stuff of legend: 1,607 rushing yards (a franchise record at the time), 2,146 yards from scrimmage, and an unforgettable snow game performance against the Detroit Lions in which he rumbled for 217 yards through blizzard conditions. That year, McCoy earned first-team All-Pro honors and the NFL’s rushing title.

In his six seasons with the Eagles, McCoy made three Pro Bowls and became the team’s all-time leading rusher, surpassing legends like Wilbert Montgomery and Brian Westbrook.

He later won two Super Bowl rings — one with the Kansas City Chiefs and another with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers — before retiring as an Eagle in 2021.

“I did everything I wanted to in this game,” McCoy said at his retirement ceremony. “But Philly made me who I am.”

If McCoy makes the Hall, he would become one of the rare backs of the modern era — in a pass-heavy league — to receive that honor, a testament to his longevity and consistency.

Asante Samuel: The Shutdown Specialist

Few cornerbacks in the 2000s played with the swagger and precision of Asante Samuel. Known for his exceptional ball-hawking instincts, Samuel built a career on reading quarterbacks and punishing their mistakes.

After making a name for himself with the New England Patriots, winning two Super Bowls and earning All-Pro honors, Samuel joined the Eagles in 2008 as one of the team’s marquee free-agent signings. Over the next four seasons in Philadelphia, he became the definition of a “shutdown corner.”

In that span, Samuel earned three Pro Bowl selections, snagged 23 interceptions, and repeatedly ranked among league leaders in passes defended.

His style — aggressive, intelligent, and fearless — was perfectly suited to the defensive identity of the Eagles during that era. He wasn’t the biggest or the fastest, but few players anticipated plays as well as Samuel.

“Asante had that sixth sense,” said former teammate Sheldon Brown. “He could see a route before it even developed.”

Across his 11-year career, Samuel started 133 games, intercepted 51 passes, and led the NFL in picks twice. His knack for clutch performances in big moments — including postseason pick-sixes — gives him a legitimate argument for a Hall of Fame nod.

Troy Vincent: Leadership and Legacy

Before he became a respected NFL executive, Troy Vincent was one of the most feared and respected defensive backs in the league — and a cornerstone of the Eagles’ defense throughout the late 1990s and early 2000s.

Vincent spent eight seasons in Philadelphia (1996–2003), where he became the quiet leader of Jim Johnson’s ferocious defensive units. His combination of size, physicality, and intelligence made him a perfect fit for the Eagles’ press coverage schemes.

During his tenure, Vincent made five consecutive Pro Bowls and was named first-team All-Pro in 2002. He recorded 28 interceptions, 10 forced fumbles, and six fumble recoveries with the Birds, including a league-leading seven interceptions in 1999.

But Vincent’s influence extended far beyond the field. He was a mentor to younger teammates, a leader in the locker room, and a consistent presence in the Philadelphia community.

“Troy set the standard,” said former Eagle Brian Dawkins. “He taught us what professionalism looked like.”

Vincent’s leadership carried into his post-playing career, where he now serves as the NFL’s Executive Vice President of Football Operations, overseeing league policies and player conduct. His impact on and off the field gives him one of the most well-rounded Hall of Fame cases of any defensive back in the modern era.

Ricky Watters: The Underrated Star

Before Ricky Watters ever donned midnight green, he was already a star. A key figure in the San Francisco 49ers’ 1994 Super Bowl championship run, Watters joined the Eagles in 1995 and immediately became the heartbeat of the team’s offense.

In three seasons with Philadelphia, Watters rushed for 3,794 yards, scored 31 touchdowns, and led the NFL in yards from scrimmage (1,855) in 1996. His bruising style, relentless energy, and durability made him one of the most reliable running backs of the 1990s.

Across his 10-year NFL career, Watters surpassed 10,000 rushing yards and earned five Pro Bowl selections, three of which came during his dominant early years with the 49ers.

Despite his numbers, Watters often found himself overlooked in Hall of Fame discussions — perhaps due to playing in an era stacked with elite running backs. But among football historians, his name still commands respect.

“Ricky was ahead of his time,” said a former Eagles coach. “He could run, block, and catch. He did everything.”

Watters was a Hall of Fame semifinalist in 2025, and his advancement again this year proves his résumé is finally getting the recognition it deserves.

Four Eagles, One Shared Dream

While each of these players defined a different era of Eagles football, they share a common legacy: excellence, consistency, and impact.

From McCoy’s jukes that left defenders grasping air, to Samuel’s clutch interceptions, to Vincent’s leadership, to Watters’ punishing runs — these four men helped shape the identity of the Eagles franchise across decades.

Now, they stand on the doorstep of immortality.

In roughly five weeks, the Hall of Fame will narrow the field from 52 to 25 semifinalists. From there, 15 finalists will eventually be chosen, and only a select few will earn their gold jackets in Canton.

Whether any of these Eagles legends make it all the way remains to be seen. But for a fanbase that lives and breathes its football heroes, seeing four of their own advance this far is already a victory worth celebrating.

Because in Philadelphia, legends never really fade — they just wait for their turn in bronze. 🏈