Pro Football Hall of Fame 2026: Kraft, Belichick, Anderson, Craig, Greenwood One Step from Canton
The road to Canton is narrowing, and five football figures-each with a legacy etched deep into NFL history-are now one vote away from joining the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2026. The Hall announced its Finalists in the Coach, Contributor, and Seniors categories, and the names are as impactful as the careers they represent: Robert Kraft, Bill Belichick, Ken Anderson, Roger Craig, and L.C. Greenwood.
These five have cleared the penultimate hurdle in the Hall’s selection process. Now, all that stands between them and football immortality is approval from at least 80% of the full Selection Committee during its annual meeting, which will take place ahead of Super Bowl LX in San Francisco.
This year marks the second under the Hall’s revised bylaws, which streamline the process by having the Coach, Contributor, and Seniors Finalists compete directly for a maximum of three enshrinement slots. Each selector can vote for up to three of the five Finalists, and if no one hits the 80% threshold, the top vote-getter still earns a gold jacket.
Let’s break down the Finalists and what makes each one Hall-worthy.
Contributor Finalist: Robert Kraft
Since buying the New England Patriots in 1994, Robert Kraft has helped engineer one of the most dominant dynasties in NFL history. Under his ownership, the Patriots have appeared in 10 Super Bowls-an NFL record for an owner-and won six of them. That alone puts him in rare company, but the story runs deeper.
Kraft stepped in when the franchise was on the brink of relocation to St. Louis, paying a then-record $172 million to keep the team in New England.
He didn’t just buy a team-he stabilized a franchise. He also privately financed the construction of Gillette Stadium, giving the Patriots a permanent home and helping to elevate the team’s brand and value.
That investment has paid off-literally and figuratively-with the franchise now valued at $9.25 billion.
Beyond the field, Kraft has been a major player in league business. He’s served on 17 different owners’ committees and has chaired the broadcast/media committee since 2007, helping shape the NFL’s media empire in the modern era.
Coach Finalist: Bill Belichick
Bill Belichick’s resume doesn’t just speak-it roars. With 333 career wins as a head coach, he trails only Don Shula on the all-time list. But it’s not just about the numbers-it’s about the era he dominated.
Belichick’s coaching journey began in 1975 with the Baltimore Colts, and after two Super Bowl wins as an assistant with the Giants, he took the reins in Cleveland before landing in New England in 2000. What followed was an 18-year run of sustained excellence that may never be replicated: six Super Bowl wins, nine AFC titles, and 31 playoff victories-a .705 postseason win percentage.
He’s already been named to the NFL 100 All-Time Team, and now, the final chapter of his coaching legacy could be a bronze bust in Canton.
Seniors Finalists: Ken Anderson, Roger Craig, L.C. Greenwood
The Seniors category is often where overlooked greatness finally gets its due. This year, three deserving names are in the spotlight.
Ken Anderson was the face of the Bengals for 16 seasons, and his numbers still hold up in today’s game. A four-time Pro Bowler and the 1981 NFL MVP, Anderson threw for over 32,000 yards and 197 touchdowns.
He led the Bengals to their first Super Bowl appearance and was ahead of his time in terms of accuracy and efficiency. For a third-round pick out of tiny Augustana College, Anderson carved out a career that deserves a second look-and maybe a gold jacket.
Roger Craig changed what it meant to be a running back in the modern NFL. In 1985, he became the first player ever to record 1,000 yards rushing and 1,000 yards receiving in the same season-a feat that’s only been matched twice since.
Craig was a three-time Super Bowl champion with the 49ers, a dynamic dual-threat weapon who totaled over 13,000 yards from scrimmage and 73 touchdowns. He was the league’s Offensive Player of the Year in 1988 and finished third in MVP voting that season.
His versatility helped redefine the position.
L.C. Greenwood was a cornerstone of the Steelers’ legendary “Steel Curtain” defense.
A 10th-round pick in 1969, Greenwood defied expectations and became a six-time Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro. Though sacks weren’t officially recorded during his era, he’s credited with 78 of them-and he added 14 fumble recoveries for good measure.
He won four Super Bowl rings and was a disruptive force on the edge for over a decade. Greenwood’s candidacy has been simmering for years, and this might finally be his moment.
Modern-Era Players Still in the Mix
While the Coach, Contributor, and Seniors Finalists are set, the Modern-Era Player category is still in the Semifinalist stage, with 26 names vying for 15 Finalist spots. This group includes some of the biggest names of the 21st century: Drew Brees, Eli Manning, Philip Rivers, Larry Fitzgerald, Frank Gore, Luke Kuechly, and Adam Vinatieri, to name just a few.
The Selection Committee will eventually choose between three and five Modern-Era Players to join the Class of 2026, alongside up to three of the Coach/Contributor/Seniors Finalists.
What’s Next
The final vote takes place early next year, with oversight from Ernst & Young to ensure accuracy and integrity in the process. The Class of 2026 will be revealed on February 5 during the "NFL Honors" show in San Francisco, and enshrinement is scheduled for August 8 in Canton.
With legends like Kraft, Belichick, Anderson, Craig, and Greenwood on the doorstep, the Class of 2026 is shaping up to be one for the ages.