Bill Belichick’s legacy has never been simple. He’s the architect of a dynasty, a six-time Super Bowl champion, and widely regarded as one of the greatest minds the game has ever seen. But his résumé also comes with asterisks in the eyes of some-including one of his former players.
On Wednesday, former Patriots linebacker and three-time Super Bowl champion Ted Johnson didn’t hold back during an appearance on “WEEI Afternoons,” voicing strong opposition to the idea of Belichick being inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on the first ballot.
“I would say Belichick, by far, is the most responsible for the cheating scandals,” Johnson said. “I don’t know if a coach has had more success than Bill when it comes to championships, but also more negative kind of stories that he’s brought upon himself.”
That’s a bold statement from a player who spent his entire 10-year NFL career in New England, including five seasons under Belichick. Johnson, a second-round pick in 1995, retired after the Patriots’ win in Super Bowl XXXIX. He knows the inner workings of the organization better than most, and his perspective carries weight-especially when it comes to the legacy of the man who coached him.
Johnson made it clear: he believes Belichick is a Hall of Famer, just not a first-ballot Hall of Famer.
“Both of you think that Belichick should be a first ballot Hall of Famer, and I disagree,” Johnson told his cohosts. “I think the cheating scandal should be a penalty, to some degree, by keeping him out this first year. But he’s a Hall of Famer.”
It’s not about denying Belichick’s place in football history-Johnson acknowledged that the coach’s accomplishments are undeniable. But he also pointed to the cloud that’s followed Belichick throughout his career, from the original Spygate controversy to later incidents, including the taping violation involving the Bengals in 2019.
“Not on the first ballot, no,” Johnson said. “Not with the - was he convicted of cheating?
And after that, did he decide to cheat again? So a guy that said ‘eh’ to your rules did it again, and then he did it again with the Bengals, did he not?”
That’s the heart of Johnson’s argument: repeated infractions, or at least the perception of them, should carry weight when it comes to the Hall of Fame process. It’s not just about wins and rings-it’s about legacy, integrity, and how the game remembers its most influential figures.
Belichick is currently a senior finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s 2026 class. His candidacy will be voted on early next year, and if he receives at least 80% of the selection committee’s support, he’ll be enshrined during Super Bowl week.
There’s no question Belichick will get in. The debate now is when, not if. And for Ted Johnson, that first ballot should come with a pause-a reminder that greatness and controversy have often walked hand-in-hand throughout Belichick’s storied career.