Bill Belichick not making the cut for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2026 has stirred up plenty of conversation - and not just among fans. Even some of the game’s most respected voices are weighing in on what his absence means for this year’s class. One of them is Hall of Fame quarterback and longtime broadcaster Troy Aikman, who didn’t hold back when asked about it during a recent appearance on The Rich Eisen Show.
“I just think the credibility of the Hall... it's a huge black eye for them,” Aikman said. “And unfortunately it will reflect... on this current class and that'll be the cloud that hangs over this current Class of '26.”
Now, let’s be clear: Belichick not being a first-ballot inductee is a headline-grabber, no doubt. We’re talking about the most decorated head coach of the modern era - a man with six Super Bowl rings, nine AFC titles, and a legacy that redefined how we think about sustained success in the NFL. His résumé is as complete as they come.
But while Aikman’s concerns about the optics are valid - and shared by many - the omission shouldn’t overshadow the accomplishments of those who are getting their gold jackets this year. One of the headliners of the Class of 2026 is expected to be Drew Brees, the longtime New Orleans Saints quarterback who rewrote the NFL’s passing record books and brought a Super Bowl title to a city that desperately needed something to believe in.
Brees’ induction is a moment that stands on its own. Saints fans who rode every high and low with him - from the post-Katrina rebuild to the heartbreaks in January - deserve to celebrate this milestone without it being clouded by someone else’s snub, no matter how significant that snub may be.
And let’s not forget: this class likely includes other all-time greats like Larry Fitzgerald, whose consistency and professionalism made him one of the most respected wide receivers to ever play the game. These players earned their spot. Their moment shouldn’t be diminished.
As for Belichick, his time will come. The Hall of Fame process is notoriously complex, and sometimes the politics of timing and perception get in the way of what feels obvious.
But the Hall can’t keep him out forever. His impact on the game is undeniable, and eventually, the voters will have no choice but to give him his due.
For now, though, the focus should be on the players who are crossing that stage this August. They’ve waited their whole lives for this moment, and they’ve earned every second of it.