The 2026 Pro Football Hall of Fame selection has brought some surprising news for fans of the New England Patriots dynasty.
Key figures Bill Belichick and Robert Kraft will not be inducted this year despite being finalists.
On January 27, reports surfaced revealing that Belichick, a multi-time Super Bowl champion, did not receive enough votes in his first year of eligibility.
Additionally, it has now been confirmed that Kraft also fell short of the needed threshold as a finalist.
The unveiling of the 2026 Hall of Fame class is set for Thursday night during the NFL Honors ceremony in San Francisco, California.
According to ESPN, sources indicated Kraft’s candidacy lacked sufficient backing from the 50-person selection panel.
Belichick and Kraft were up for induction in a category that includes coaches, contributors, and senior players, where one to three finalists can be inducted based on member votes. Senior players Roger Craig, Ken Anderson, and LC Greenwood were also in the mix.
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell remarked, “Bill Belichick’s record is undeniable, and Robert Kraft has made significant contributions. They are exceptional figures, and I believe they will eventually make it to the Hall of Fame.”
From 2000 to 2023, Kraft and Belichick collaborated to create a dominant franchise, characterized by their synergy with quarterback Tom Brady. During that period, the AFC team amassed an impressive 266 wins, securing the division title 17 times in 24 seasons, which includes an 11-year run from 2009 to 2019.
This historic team reached the Super Bowl nine times, winning six championships, and posted a playoff record of 30-12 under their leadership.
Kraft now joins the ranks of other notable finalists, including former New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning, who also did not meet the required vote count this year.
