Vikings Ring of Honor member Kevin Williams is one step closer to Canton.
The former defensive tackle was announced Tuesday as one of 15 Modern-Era Finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame's Class of 2026.
Williams is in his sixth year of eligibility, and this marks his first time as a finalist.
Minnesota drafted Williams No. 9 overall in 2003, and he became an immediate starter at defensive end before moving inside after 12 games. As a rookie, he racked up 10.5 sacks, 15 tackles for loss, an interception and four passes defensed. He was named to the 2003 NFL All-Rookie Team and finished fourth in voting for The Associated Press' Defensive Rookie of the Year.
Williams started 193 of 203 career regular-season games and five postseason contests. He started all 171 regular-season games he played for the Vikings and totaled 465 tackles, five interceptions, 60 sacks, 84 QB hits, 104 tackles for loss, seven forced fumbles, 13 fumble recoveries and 68 passes defensed. Williams scored four defensive touchdowns for Minnesota — returning two interceptions and two fumble recoveries for points.
In 2009, Williams helped the Vikings reach the NFC Championship Game, during which he recorded two tackles, a tackle for loss and a QB hit of Drew Brees.
From 2003-13, Williams led all defensive tackles with 73 passes defensed and five interceptions, and he ranked No. 2 with 60 sacks behind Justin Smith's 67 in that time span.
Williams' five interceptions rank first in Vikings history among DTs.
Williams was named to the 2000s All-Decade Team and on five occasions received First-Team All-Pro honors from The Associated Press (2004; 2006-09). He was voted to the NFL Pro Bowl six times during his career in Minnesota (2004; 2006-10).
Below is a list of the 15 Modern-Era Finalists announced by the Pro Football Hall of Fame:
Willie Anderson, T | 1996-2007 Cincinnati Bengals, 2008 Baltimore Ravens
Drew Brees, QB | 2001-05 San Diego Chargers, 2006-20 New Orleans Saints
Jahri Evans, G | 2006-16 New Orleans Saints, 2017 Green Bay Packers
Larry Fitzgerald, WR | 2004-2020 Arizona Cardinals
Frank Gore, RB | 2005-14 San Francisco 49ers, 2015-17 Indianapolis Colts, 2018 Miami Dolphins, 2019 Buffalo Bills, 2020 New York Jets
Torry Holt, WR | 1999-2008 St. Louis Rams, 2009 Jacksonville Jaguars
Luke Kuechly, LB | 2012-19 Carolina Panthers
Eli Manning, QB | 2004-19 New York Giants
Terrell Suggs, OLB/DE | 2003-18 Baltimore Ravens, 2019 Arizona Cardinals, 2019 Kansas City Chiefs
Adam Vinatieri, K | 1996-2005 New England Patriots, 2006-19 Indianapolis Colts
Reggie Wayne, WR | 2001-14 Indianapolis Colts
Kevin Williams, DT | 2003-13 Minnesota Vikings, 2014 Seattle Seahawks, 2015 New Orleans Saints
Jason Witten, TE | 2003-17, 2019 Dallas Cowboys, 2020 Las Vegas Raiders
Darren Woodson, S | 1992-2003 Dallas Cowboys
Marshal Yanda, OL | 2007-19 Baltimore Ravens
