Robert Kraft Misses Out on Hall of Fame Induction, Joining Belichick in Stunning Snub
As the NFL world gears up for Super Bowl 60, one of the league’s most influential owners has received news that’s bound to sting. Robert Kraft, the longtime owner of the New England Patriots and architect behind one of the most dominant dynasties in league history, was not selected for induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s 2026 class.
Kraft, now 84, was a first-time finalist this year - just like his former head coach, Bill Belichick - and many believed both had strong cases to be enshrined on their first try. After all, they’re tied together by six Super Bowl wins, two decades of dominance, and a standard of sustained excellence that helped define the modern NFL. But despite their resumes, neither received the necessary votes to make the cut.
According to league sources, Kraft was the finalist in the contributor category, while Belichick was the coach nominee. The other three finalists were former players Roger Craig, Ken Anderson, and L.C.
Greenwood - all of whom last played in 2000 or earlier. Under the Hall’s updated voting rules, 50 selectors choose three of the five finalists, and any candidate must receive at least 40 votes to be inducted.
If no one hits that threshold, the top vote-getter still gets in.
In this case, neither Kraft nor Belichick cleared that bar.
It’s a surprising outcome, especially given the recent changes to the Hall of Fame’s eligibility rules. One of the biggest shifts was allowing coaches to become eligible just one year after retiring, rather than the previous five-year wait. That tweak brought Belichick into the mix right away - and, in a twist of fate, may have pitted him directly against Kraft in voters’ minds.
Kraft, for his part, has been vocal in his support of Belichick’s Hall of Fame credentials. After Belichick’s name was left off the final list last week, Kraft didn’t hold back.
“Bill Belichick is the greatest coach of all time,” Kraft said. “He unequivocally deserves to be a unanimous first-ballot Pro Football Hall of Famer.”
He also addressed the speculation that his own candidacy may have played a role in Belichick’s exclusion, saying, “Whatever perceptions may exist about any personal differences between Bill and me, I strongly believe Bill Belichick’s record and body of work speak for themselves.”
It’s hard to argue with that. For over 20 years, Belichick led the Patriots with a level of precision, preparation, and consistency that few coaches in any era have matched. And Kraft, as the owner who hired and supported him through it all, was every bit as instrumental in shaping the Patriots’ legacy.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell also weighed in on the situation, offering a measured show of support for both men.
“Bill Belichick’s record goes without saying, same with the Patriots and Robert Kraft, who is also a candidate,” Goodell said on Monday. “They are spectacular. They have contributed so much to this game, and I believe they will be Hall of Famers.”
That belief may still prove true - just not this year. For now, the Hall of Fame doors remain closed to two of the most iconic figures in NFL history. And while their legacies are already cemented in the eyes of most fans and insiders, the wait for Canton continues.