The Pro Football Hall of Fame has named its senior finalists for the 2025 class, and the list includes some of the most influential figures the game has ever seen. Among them: Patriots owner Robert Kraft, legendary head coach Bill Belichick, and former stars Ken Anderson, Roger Craig, and L.C. Greenwood.
Let’s start with the headline name-Bill Belichick. At 73, Belichick’s résumé is nothing short of historic.
His NFL journey began back in 1975 with the then-Baltimore Colts, and from there, he carved out one of the most storied coaching careers the league has ever witnessed. After stints with the Lions and Broncos, he found his footing with the New York Giants, where he rose to defensive coordinator under Hall of Fame coach Bill Parcells.
That Giants defense helped deliver two Super Bowl titles and laid the foundation for Belichick’s future dominance.
In 1991, the Cleveland Browns gave him his first shot at a head coaching role. It was a five-year stretch that had its ups and downs, culminating in his dismissal in 1995. But as we've seen time and time again in this league, sometimes the second act is where the legend is born.
Belichick rejoined Parcells in New England and then followed him to the Jets. That’s where the story takes a twist.
Belichick was named Parcells’ successor in New York, but in a move that’s now NFL lore, he resigned almost immediately-famously scribbling his resignation on a napkin-and jumped ship to the Patriots. The Jets got a first-round pick in return.
The Patriots got the architect of a dynasty.
Over 24 seasons in New England, Belichick built a machine. He coached the Patriots to six Super Bowl titles, 17 division crowns, and a staggering 302 career wins-good for a .655 winning percentage over 29 seasons.
Add in eight Super Bowl rings (two from his Giants days), and you’re looking at a coaching résumé that redefined sustained excellence in the NFL. He also picked up AP Coach of the Year honors three times along the way.
After parting ways with the Patriots following the 2023 season, Belichick took his talents to the college ranks, accepting the head coaching job at North Carolina for the 2025 season. It’s a new chapter for a coach who’s never been afraid to rewrite the book.
Joining Belichick on the list of finalists is Patriots owner Robert Kraft, whose stewardship helped turn New England into a powerhouse. Under his ownership, the Patriots became synonymous with winning-an era defined by Belichick, Tom Brady, and a front office that rarely missed.
On the players’ side, Ken Anderson is once again getting long-overdue recognition. The former Bengals quarterback was ahead of his time-accurate, poised, and a perfect fit for the West Coast offense before the league fully embraced it. He led the NFL in passer rating four times and took Cincinnati to its first Super Bowl appearance.
Roger Craig, a do-it-all running back for the 49ers, was a cornerstone of one of the NFL’s great dynasties. He became the first player in league history to rush for 1,000 yards and catch for 1,000 more in a single season-an achievement that speaks to his versatility and impact in an era when backs were rarely asked to do both at a high level.
And then there’s L.C. Greenwood, a key member of the “Steel Curtain” defense that powered the Steelers to four Super Bowl wins in the 1970s.
Greenwood’s speed off the edge and knack for making plays in big moments made him a nightmare for opposing quarterbacks. His contributions often flew under the radar, but those who played with and against him know how vital he was to Pittsburgh’s dominance.
This group of finalists represents a cross-section of NFL greatness-coaches, owners, and players who changed the game in their own way. As the Hall of Fame selection process moves forward, each name on this list brings a compelling case, backed by impact, legacy, and the kind of football excellence that defines Canton.
We’ll keep an eye on the next steps as the Hall of Fame prepares to finalize its 2025 class. For now, these five names are one step closer to football immortality.