The Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2026 is official, and it’s a group headlined by some of the most impactful names of the modern era-players who didn’t just fill up box scores, but helped define the game for a generation. Drew Brees and Larry Fitzgerald got in on their first ballot, while Luke Kuechly and Adam Vinatieri made it in their second year of eligibility. All four were standout choices from this year’s list of 15 modern-era finalists, and the committee got those selections right.
But while the modern-era picks brought clarity and celebration, the rest of the ballot-particularly the coach, contributor, and senior categories-left more questions than answers. Only one non-modern era candidate was selected: Roger Craig, the dynamic running back who helped revolutionize the position during his time with the 49ers.
His ability to threaten defenses as both a runner and a pass-catcher was ahead of his time, and he played a pivotal role in three Super Bowl wins. Whether Craig got the required 80 percent of the vote or simply had the most support among the five non-modern era nominees, he’s in-and deservedly so.
But the headline-grabber here is who didn’t get in.
Bill Belichick’s Omission: A Stunning Miss
Let’s not sugarcoat it: Bill Belichick not being part of this Hall of Fame class is a miss. A big one.
He’s the most accomplished head coach in NFL history-six Super Bowl titles, 333 combined regular season and playoff wins (just 14 behind Don Shula for the all-time lead), and a legacy that stretches far beyond the stat sheet. The expectation was that Belichick would be a first-ballot lock, a no-brainer.
And yet, he didn’t get the necessary 80 percent of the vote.
That’s not just surprising-it’s borderline inexplicable. Some voters may have assumed Belichick was a lock and used their votes elsewhere, perhaps to support seniors or contributors they feared might fall off the radar.
That kind of vote-shifting, while well-intentioned, is risky business. It only takes a few of those decisions to derail what should’ve been a sure thing.
There were also whispers about lingering resentments-Spygate, the shortened waiting period for coaches (recently reduced from five years to one), or even the perception that Belichick was difficult with the media. But let’s be honest: personal feelings should never outweigh football legacy in this process. And Belichick’s resume is untouchable.
Robert Kraft Also Left Out
Belichick wasn’t the only Patriots legend to miss the cut. Owner Robert Kraft, whose franchise is about to play in its 12th Super Bowl under his leadership, also came up short.
Kraft has been a central figure in the NFL’s evolution over the last three decades-helping end the 2011 lockout and steering one of the league’s most successful franchises. His case is strong, and his time will come.
But there was some unease around the pre-meeting campaigning that’s surrounded Kraft in recent years. It stood out-because it was unlike anything done for other candidates. That may have rubbed some voters the wrong way, and it’s possible that preference for players over owners played a role here, too.
The Voting Process Still Needs Work
This is just the second year under the Hall’s current system for non-modern era candidates. A coach, a contributor, and three seniors are nominated by subcommittees, and then all five are presented to the full committee.
From there, voters are asked to select three, and only those who receive 80 percent of the vote get in. If no one hits that threshold, the top vote-getter is inducted.
It’s a high bar, and it’s led to some worthy names getting left behind. There was strong support for L.C.
Greenwood, a key member of the Steelers’ famed Steel Curtain defense, and Ken Anderson, the longtime Bengals quarterback. But in the end, only Craig made it through.
There’s a sense that the voting format, while well-intentioned, needs a tweak. It’s not just about who gets in-it’s about making sure the process doesn’t inadvertently block elite candidates due to vote splitting or strategic ballot manipulation.
Modern-Era Finalists: The Standouts and the Snubs
Among the 15 modern-era finalists, the four inductees-Brees, Fitzgerald, Kuechly, and Vinatieri-stood out. Brees is second all-time in passing yardage.
Fitzgerald is second in receiving yards. That’s elite company, and both players were widely expected to be first-ballot selections.
No surprises there.
Kuechly and Vinatieri had to wait a year, and in hindsight, that may have been a case of both candidates canceling each other out in their first year of eligibility. This time around, they both made it through. Kuechly’s dominance at linebacker was short-lived but spectacular, and Vinatieri’s clutch kicking defined multiple Super Bowl runs.
The rest of the modern-era finalists included:
- Willie Anderson
- Jahri Evans
- Frank Gore
- Torry Holt
- Eli Manning
- Terrell Suggs
- Reggie Wayne
- Kevin Williams
- Jason Witten
- Darren Woodson
- Marshall Yanda
Anderson, Suggs, and Yanda made it to the final seven but didn’t receive the required 80 percent of the vote. That means they’ll return next year as automatic finalists.
As for the wide receivers, there’s a growing concern that the new voting format is hurting players like Reggie Wayne and Torry Holt. Both were on strong trajectories before the 2024 changes, but now they seem to be stuck in a cycle of splitting votes. With Fitzgerald now in, perhaps the logjam starts to clear-but it’s far from certain.
Frank Gore: The Longevity Test
Frank Gore’s candidacy brings an interesting angle to the conversation. He’s the ultimate test case for longevity.
Still averaging over 60 rushing yards per game in his 13th season, and 4.6 yards per carry in his 14th, Gore was remarkably consistent over a long period. His initial discussion was more favorable than some expected, and while he didn’t make the final cut this year, his case is building momentum.
Looking Ahead to 2027
With Belichick and Kraft missing the cut this year, expect them to be back on the ballot next year. And barring something truly unexpected, both should be locks for induction in 2027. If not, the process will come under even more scrutiny.
As for the senior candidates? The unfortunate reality is that they may be pushed aside again next year. With Belichick and Kraft likely to draw heavy support, and only three of the five non-modern era candidates allowed to be selected, the math gets tricky fast.
Final Thoughts
The Hall of Fame process is never easy. With so many deserving candidates and only a handful of spots, tough decisions have to be made.
But this year’s class got a lot right-especially with the modern-era selections. Brees, Fitzgerald, Kuechly, and Vinatieri are all worthy of their gold jackets.
Still, the omission of Bill Belichick looms large. The greatest coach in NFL history should’ve been a first-ballot lock. That he wasn’t is a reminder that even the most obvious decisions can get complicated behind closed doors.
Let’s hope the committee gets it right in 2027.