The Pro Football Hall of Fame has taken a major step toward shaping its Class of 2026, announcing five finalists across three categories-Contributor, Coach, and Senior-who are now one vote away from football immortality.
**Robert Kraft (Contributor), Bill Belichick (Coach), and three Senior finalists-Ken Anderson, Roger Craig, and L.C. Greenwood-**have all advanced to the final stage of consideration. Each name carries weight, but some, like Roger Craig, come with the kind of résumé that makes you wonder why this process has taken so long.
Let’s start with Craig. The former 49ers running back was a foundational piece in one of the NFL’s most iconic dynasties.
In 1985, he became the first player in league history to post 1,000 yards rushing and 1,000 yards receiving in the same season. That’s a feat so rare, only two other players have ever done it-Marshall Faulk, who’s already enshrined in Canton, and Christian McCaffrey, who’s still building his legacy in San Francisco.
Craig’s full body of work is impressive by any measure: 73 career touchdowns, over 13,100 yards from scrimmage, and a key role in three Super Bowl-winning teams. To put it in perspective, 30 current Hall of Famers have fewer yards from scrimmage than Craig.
That stat alone should raise eyebrows. This isn’t just a case of nostalgia or team success-Craig’s individual numbers hold up against some of the best to ever do it.
Joining him in the Senior category are Ken Anderson, the longtime Bengals quarterback who led Cincinnati to its first Super Bowl appearance, and L.C. Greenwood, a cornerstone of the Steelers’ legendary “Steel Curtain” defense. Greenwood’s pass-rushing prowess and big-game performances-particularly in Super Bowls-made him a nightmare for opposing quarterbacks and a vital piece of Pittsburgh’s 1970s dominance.
In the Coach category, it’s no surprise to see Bill Belichick on the final ballot. With six Super Bowl titles as a head coach and two more as a defensive coordinator, Belichick’s influence on modern football is undeniable. His strategic mind, adaptability, and sustained success with the Patriots have made him one of the most accomplished coaches in league history.
Then there’s Robert Kraft, the longtime Patriots owner, up for induction in the Contributor category. Under Kraft’s stewardship, New England transformed into a model franchise, capturing six Super Bowl titles and becoming a consistent contender for over two decades. His impact extends beyond the field as well, playing a major role in league-wide initiatives and helping shape the modern NFL business landscape.
This is the second year that the Hall of Fame has grouped finalists from the Coach and Contributor categories alongside the Senior nominees. Each of the 50 Hall of Fame selectors will be allowed to vote for up to three finalists, with the final vote set for January 13. The official inductees will be revealed in February, just ahead of the Super Bowl.
With names like Belichick, Kraft, Craig, Anderson, and Greenwood on the ballot, the Hall is poised to honor individuals who didn’t just play or coach the game-they helped define it.