Bill Belichick will not be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2026. Even former quarterback Tom Brady cannot understand the decision against the legendary coach.

Bill Belichick will not be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility.

ESPN reported, citing sources close to the vote, that the legendary coach did not receive the required 40 out of 50 votes from the selection committee.

The 73-year-old won six Super Bowls as head coach with the New England Patriots and two more as defensive coordinator of the New York Giants during his historic NFL career.

The reaction from numerous fans and experts was understandably shocked, including that of his long-time companion Tom Brady. The former star quarterback described the selection committee’s decision as “completely ridiculous” to radio station “Seattle Sports 710-AM.”

NFL: Tom Brady questions decision against Belichick

“I don’t understand it. I mean, I was with him every day. If he’s not inducted into the Hall of Fame right away, then there’s really no coach who should ever be inducted into the Hall of Fame right away, which is completely ridiculous because people deserve it,” Brady continued.

For the playmaker, who played under Belichick with the Patriots for 20 seasons, there are no two opinions about Belichick: “He’s incredible. There’s no coach I’d rather play for. If I had to pick a coach to win the Super Bowl with only one year, I’d pick Bill Belichick. That says it all.”

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Brady, who will be eligible for induction into the Hall of Fame himself in 2028, took up the cudgels for his former coach: “When it comes to elections, popularity, and all that, then welcome to the world of voting. You might as well apply for an Oscar and let a grand jury tell you whether you’re good or not. Unfortunately, that’s how it works. He’ll make it into the Hall of Fame. Ultimately, I’m not worried about it.“

But when the time comes, Belichick’s induction will have far-reaching implications: ”In life, things often don’t turn out the way you want them to or the way you planned. But we’ll all be there to celebrate him when the time comes, and there will be many players and coaches who appreciate everything he has done. His commitment to winning and the impact he has had on all of our lives,” Brady said.

According to the report, Belichick was one of five finalists among coaches, contributors, and former players who last played in the NFL in 2000 or earlier. Patriots owner Robert Kraft was the finalist among the contributors, while Roger Craig, Ken Anderson, and L.C. Greenwood were apparently the finalists among the players.

Hall of Fame: Patriots owner Robert Kraft speaks out in favor of Bill Belichick

Patriots boss Kraft also commented on the decision against Belichick: “Regardless of what perceptions may exist about personal differences between Bill and me, I firmly believe that Bill Belichick’s record and his life’s work speak for themselves,” the 84-year-old said in a statement to the Associated Press. Kraft elaborated: “As head coach of the New England Patriots, he has set the standard for over two decades in terms of performance on the field, preparation, and continued success in the era of free agency and salary caps in the National Football League. He is the greatest coach of all time and undoubtedly deserves to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame immediately and unanimously.”
Belichick has a career record of 333-178, including the playoffs, which puts him second only to Don Shula’s 347 in terms of total coaching wins. However, the fabulous career of the NFL coach with the most Super Bowl titles in history has not been entirely without blemish. In the 2007 season, he was involved in the “Spygate” scandal, in which his team was caught filming the New York Jets’ defensive signals during a game. Belichick was subsequently fined $500,000.