Why Bill Belichick Isn’t in the Hall of Fame Class of 2026 - and Why That Might Actually Make Sense
Bill Belichick’s Hall of Fame résumé speaks for itself. Six Super Bowl titles. 333 career wins - second-most in NFL history.
A defensive mastermind, a culture-builder, and arguably the greatest head coach the league has ever seen. If there’s anyone whose name alone should be enough to punch a ticket to Canton, it’s Belichick.
So when reports surfaced this week that Belichick won’t be part of the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2026, the reaction was swift and emotional. “Insane,” tweeted Patrick Mahomes, echoing the confusion of fans across the league.
And on the surface, it’s easy to see why. How could a coach with that kind of legacy not be a first-ballot lock?
But to understand what happened - and why this isn’t necessarily a snub - we need to take a closer look at the Hall’s voting structure and the unique situation Belichick found himself in this year.
The Voting Process Isn’t as Simple as “Yes” or “No”
Let’s start with the mechanics. The Hall of Fame selection committee doesn’t just vote up or down on individual candidates. Especially not in the special categories like coach, contributor, and senior player - the pool Belichick was part of this year.
In that group, voters can only approve three of five total candidates. This year, those five included Belichick (coach), Robert Kraft (contributor), and three senior players: Ken Anderson, Roger Craig, and L.C.
Greenwood. To be elected, a candidate needs 80% approval - that’s 40 out of 50 votes.
Here’s the kicker: all five are lumped into the same vote. That means Belichick and Kraft - two pillars of the Patriots dynasty - were essentially competing against each other and against three senior players whose cases have been hanging in the balance for decades.
Why the Seniors Got the Nod
Let’s talk about those senior players. Ken Anderson, the 1981 NFL MVP and a four-time passer rating champ.
Roger Craig, a three-time Super Bowl winner and the first player in NFL history to rush and receive for 1,000 yards in the same season. L.C.
Greenwood, a key piece of the Steelers’ Steel Curtain defense, a four-time Super Bowl champion, and a member of the 1970s All-Decade Team.
These aren’t borderline cases. These are players who’ve been waiting for decades, overlooked year after year, despite resumes that stack up with many who are already in the Hall.
For voters, this wasn’t about knocking Belichick. It was about seizing what felt like a final opportunity to honor players whose windows are rapidly closing.
The senior backlog is real - roughly 60 one-time All-Decade players are still waiting. And under the current system, if these seniors don’t make it now, they may never get another shot.
In the last two years, only three of six senior nominees have actually made it in. The others?
They didn’t even return to the ballot the following year. That’s how unforgiving the process can be.
Belichick’s Time Will Come - Soon
Let’s be clear: Bill Belichick is going to the Hall of Fame. There’s no doubt about that.
The man is a walking blueprint for modern NFL coaching success. He’s not being punished.
He’s not being left out because of Spygate or Deflategate or “politics,” as some have speculated. This wasn’t about scandal - at least not for every voter.
For many, this was about prioritizing legacy and timing. Belichick’s candidacy isn’t going anywhere.
He’ll be back on the ballot, and he’ll get in - probably sooner rather than later. But for Anderson, Craig, and Greenwood?
This might have been the last real chance to give them the recognition they’ve earned.
It’s not a perfect system. In fact, the blending of coaches, contributors, and senior players into one vote has created unnecessary competition among categories that deserve their own spotlight. That’s something the Hall may need to revisit.
But in this case, the voters didn’t deny Belichick’s greatness. They simply made a tough call to honor three players who’ve been waiting far too long - players whose windows are closing while Belichick’s remains wide open.
The Bigger Picture
This vote wasn’t about diminishing Belichick’s legacy. It was about lifting up others who’ve been stuck in the shadows. It was about recognizing that the Hall of Fame isn’t just for the obvious legends - it’s also for the forgotten greats, the overlooked stars, and the players whose careers helped shape the league but never got their due.
So yes, it’s surprising that Belichick won’t be enshrined in 2026. But it’s not a scandal. It’s a reflection of a flawed system and a deep, deserving pool of candidates.
And when Belichick does get in - and he will - it’ll be a celebration of a career that’s already etched in NFL history. For now, though, this moment belongs to Anderson, Craig, and Greenwood. And after all these years, they’ve earned it.