Earlier this week, the Pro Football Hall of Fame voters made a decision that sent shockwaves through the NFL world: Bill Belichick will not be part of the 2026 Hall of Fame class. Yes, that Bill Belichick - the six-time Super Bowl champion head coach who helped define an entire era of football dominance in New England.
It’s a move that’s already being called one of the most baffling snubs in league history. Former All-Pro cornerback Aqib Talib didn’t mince words, calling it “the most outrageous robbery” the NFL has ever seen. And honestly, it’s hard to argue with that sentiment.
Belichick’s omission doesn’t just delay his own trip to Canton - it creates a logjam for a growing list of legendary coaches still waiting for their gold jackets. Mike Shanahan, for example, continues to wait in the wings.
The architect of back-to-back Super Bowl wins with the Denver Broncos in the late '90s, Shanahan’s offensive system remains one of the most influential in the modern game. His fingerprints are all over today’s NFL, from Kyle Shanahan’s 49ers to Sean McVay’s Rams.
And yet, once again, he’s left outside looking in.
Last year, Shanahan was passed over in favor of Mike Holmgren in the coach category - but Holmgren ultimately didn’t secure enough votes for induction either. This year, it’s Belichick who advanced in the process, only to fall short.
The result? Another year of waiting, not just for Belichick, but for every coach on the cusp of enshrinement.
And that list is only getting longer. Tom Coughlin, Pete Carroll, and Mike Tomlin are all either eligible or approaching eligibility.
Andy Reid, who turns 68 this offseason and continues to build his own Hall of Fame résumé, isn’t far behind. But with Belichick now expected to headline a future class, it’s likely that everyone else’s timeline just got pushed back.
For Shanahan in particular, the delay stings. His place in football history is secure - two Lombardi Trophies, a coaching tree that’s taken root across the league, and a legacy that’s still shaping offenses today.
But recognition in Canton continues to elude him. And with the Hall of Fame selection process allowing just one coach per class, the competition for that lone spot grows fiercer every year.
The Hall of Fame is meant to honor the game’s greats, and there’s no question Belichick belongs among them. But his absence this year doesn’t just raise eyebrows - it reshuffles the entire deck for a generation of coaching legends still waiting for their call.