Bill Belichick and Robert Kraft were not elected to the Hall of Fame in 2026. This devalues the entire selection process. And anyone who justifies it does too. A commentary.

There are actually names in NFL history where there should be no discussion as to whether they belong in the Hall of Fame.

Jerry Rice, Terry Bradshaw, Walter Payton, Jim Brown, Joe Montana, Vince Lombardi … the list is long.

And in most people’s minds, Bill Belichick and Robert Kraft also belong on that list. Yet they are not in the Hall of Fame. Kraft has now been waiting a full 14 years. While it’s always a tricky issue with owners and executives, Belichick’s first-time induction into the Hall of Fame should be a foregone conclusion. The fact that he has been denied entry is a sad reflection on all those who voted – and ultimately on the HoF itself.

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As head coach, Bill Belichick has won 302 games, putting him in third place on the all-time list. Of the top seven, only he and Chiefs coach Andy Reid are not in the Hall of Fame.

Six Super Bowl wins as head coach, eight in total, plus Belichick coached Lawrence Taylor, arguably the best defensive player in league history. What kind of resume do you need to be considered a first-ballot Hall of Famer? Double-digit Super Bowl appearances?

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At least that’s what owner Kraft achieved. Reaching the final this season with the New England Patriots is the 84-year-old’s eleventh Super Bowl appearance. And the coach-quarterback combination of Mike Vrabel and Drake Maye is already the third constellation in his era.

What many people forget is that the Patriots already reached the Super Bowl in 1996, back then with quarterback Drew Bledsoe and head coach Bill Parcells. Anyone who thinks that ownership doesn’t matter in the NFL is wrong. Just ask the New York Jets or Cleveland Browns.

Bill Belichick not in the Hall of Fame because of scandals? Tom Brady faces a rude awakening

After the vote, some experts and personalities said they could understand why the Patriots duo was not elected. After all, the franchise not only shone during its two dynasties, but was also involved in scandals.

While the transgressions cannot be dismissed, it is nevertheless indisputable that the history of the NFL cannot be written without the names Kraft and Belichick. The fact that personal interests are said to have caused them to have to wait longer is nothing short of a farce.

Because if you want to keep Belichick waiting, do you also want to exclude Tom Brady in his first year of eligibility? The relatively undisputed best quarterback in history? Brady was even suspended for four games in 2016, keyword “Spygate.”

If that happens, then the Hall of Fame will have lost all its legitimacy at that point. Just like those who vote for their candidates.

But there are still two years to go. Perhaps the current outcry over Belichick will bring them to their senses.