The New England Patriots will have a familiar face representing them in Canton this year - legendary kicker Adam Vinatieri is officially headed to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. But while that news was cause for celebration in Foxborough, it was quickly overshadowed by the firestorm surrounding one glaring omission: Bill Belichick.
Yes, that Bill Belichick. The six-time Super Bowl-winning head coach.
The architect of one of the greatest dynasties in NFL history. Left off the list - and the reaction around the league has been swift and passionate.
Tony Dungy said on NBC that he will not disclose how he voted for the Pro Football Hall of Fame, but says he’s upset with the process and it’s not the voters’ fault Bill Belichick is not in.
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) February 8, 2026
Former Patriot Rodney Harrison responded, upset, and pointed at Dungy: “You guys got it… pic.twitter.com/Qf09J446mo
Rodney Harrison, who won two Lombardi Trophies under Belichick and knows firsthand the brilliance behind the hoodie, didn't hold back. Speaking candidly to Tony Dungy, Harrison made it clear he believes the Hall of Fame voters missed the mark - and then some.
“You guys got it wrong,” Harrison said, cutting straight to the point.
Dungy, himself a Hall of Famer and one of the most respected minds in football, echoed the sentiment. “There’s nobody more deserving than Bill Belichick,” he said.
"If you didn't play it, if you didn't coach it, you shouldn't have a vote."
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) February 8, 2026
—@RandyMoss on Hall of Fame voting after Bill Belichick and Robert Kraft were not selected 👀 pic.twitter.com/DV3rJp6n6v
“I’ve seen him design defenses to stop your offense. You guys got it wrong.”
The frustration wasn’t limited to Harrison. Another former Patriot, Randy Moss - who was a central figure in that historic 2007 run to the AFC title - added fuel to the fire. Now an analyst with ESPN, Moss didn’t mince words when discussing who should have a say in Hall of Fame voting.
“Going forward I know it's going to ruffle some feathers, but I really believe as a football player, if you didn't play it, if you didn't coach it, you shouldn't have a vote,” Moss said, his voice laced with frustration. “I don't care who you are and I don't care how you feel about it.”
It’s a sentiment that’s gaining traction - especially when a coach with Belichick’s résumé is left waiting for a call that feels like it should’ve come yesterday.
Meanwhile, the Hall of Fame is already planning some changes. Hall president Jim Porter acknowledged that tweaks to the process are coming, including a return to in-person voting.
“We'll do some tweaks, and we'll take a look,” Porter said. “We're going to do what's best for the Hall of Fame. My job is to protect the integrity of the Hall, protect the integrity of the process.”
That process - and its integrity - are exactly what many around the league are questioning right now. Because when the most successful coach of the modern era doesn’t get the nod, it raises eyebrows. And when former players and coaches are this vocal, it raises the stakes.
As the Patriots gear up for another Super Bowl appearance - this time with former Belichick disciple Mike Vrabel leading the charge - the absence of their iconic coach from the Hall of Fame class looms large. Belichick may not be on the sidelines this time, but his presence is still felt. And so is the controversy.
For now, the debate rages on. But one thing’s clear: Bill Belichick’s legacy isn’t in question - only the timeline for when Canton officially recognizes it.