Bill Belichick Omitted from Pro Football Hall of Fame; Brees, Fitzgerald Lead 2026 Class
The Pro Football Hall of Fame unveiled its Class of 2026 honorees Thursday, but the most talked-about name was conspicuously absent.
Bill Belichick, the legendary head coach of the New England Patriots with eight Super Bowl victories to his name, did not secure induction in his first year of eligibility.
Instead, the 2026 class will welcome quarterback Drew Brees, wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald, kicker Adam Vinatieri, linebacker Luke Kuechly, and running back Roger Craig.
Speculation about Belichick’s exclusion began circulating in late January when reports surfaced that he failed to garner sufficient votes for induction. Factors contributing to this decision reportedly include his entanglement in cheating scandals like Spygate and Deflategate.
Patriots owner Robert Kraft, who shared the ballot with Belichick and Craig, also did not make the cut.
Since the news broke, several voters have elaborated on their choices, particularly regarding the coach with the second-most wins in NFL history.
Mike Chappell from FOX 59/CBS 4 in Indiana pointed to the Spygate scandal—a 2007 incident where Belichick and the Patriots faced penalties for illegally recording opponents’ sidelines. Chappell opted to support Kraft over Belichick.
Conversely, Vahe Gregorian of The Kansas City Star expressed a preference for candidates with a more limited opportunity for enshrinement compared to Belichick.
The Hall’s voting structure restricts the number of nominees on a single ballot. Belichick, along with Kraft, was not classified as a modern-era finalist but was placed in a separate group where voters could select only three out of five candidates.
Gregorian articulated a sense of obligation to vote for senior players like Craig, stating they “most likely won’t ever have a hearing again as more senior candidates enter the pool.”
At 73 years old, Belichick last coached in the NFL during the 2023 season.
His coaching journey began with the Baltimore Colts in 1975. By 1979, he had taken on roles as special teams coordinator and defensive assistant for the New York Giants. Promoted to defensive coordinator by Bill Parcells in 1985, he contributed to two Super Bowl victories.
In 1991, he became head coach of the Cleveland Browns, where he spent five seasons and won one playoff game. From 1996 to 1999, he returned as an assistant under Parcells—one year in New England and three with the New York Jets.
In 2000, after a brief resignation from the Jets’ head coaching position, Belichick accepted the same role with the Patriots, initiating an unprecedented 24-season tenure in NFL history.
However, his later years were marked by struggles, culminating in a 12-22 record over his final two seasons with New England. He transitioned back to coaching at the collegiate level, taking over at North Carolina in December 2024.
In his inaugural season with the Tar Heels, Belichick finished with a record of 4-8.
