The NFL has yet to announce this year’s official inductees into the Pro Football Hall of Fame class, but one of the greatest minds in pro football history won’t be among them.
Sources have informed ESPN that former New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick did not receive the necessary votes for induction in his first year of Hall of Fame eligibility. The sources described Belichick as “puzzled” and “disappointed” at the news, at one point asking “Six Super Bowls isn’t enough?” – referring to the championships he won in New England.
Belichick won six titles as the head coach of the Patriots, and an additional two championships as the defensive coordinator of the New York Giants in the late 80’s and early 90’s.
He ranks second all-time in career wins with 333, behind only Miami Dolphins legend and Hall of Fame coach Don Shula.
Pro Football HOF Issues Response
“The Pro Football Hall of Fame does not comment on the voting of the Selection Committee and awaits the unveiling of the Class of 2026 at ‘NFL Honors’ on Feb. 5 in San Francisco,” the Hall said in a statement.
New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft is also a finalist in this year’s Hall of Fame class and could be inducted if he receives the 40 (out of 50) votes needed. Kraft’s Patriots are set to play in this year’s Super Bowl – the team’s first appearance in the championship game since parting ways with Belichick after the 2023 season.
“The only explanation [for the outcome of the vote] was the cheating stuff,” a veteran Hall of Fame voter reportedly told ESPN. “It really bothered some of the guys.”
Man there’s no way I read that right! Right? Ain’t no WAY Bill Belichick ain’t 1st Ballot HOF!! That’s IMPOSSIBLE, EGREGIOUS, and quite frankly DISRESPECTFUL!
— LeBron James (@KingJames) January 28, 2026
If Bill Belichick isn’t a 1st Ballot NFL Hall of Famer, then NO ONE SHOULD BE.
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) January 27, 2026
Why Was Belichick Reportedly Excluded?
Belichick’s Patriots teams were involved in multiple cheating scandals during his tenure as head coach. “Spygate,” in which the team illegally taped signals from opposing coaches on the sideline in 2007, and “Deflategate,” in which the team doctored the weight of footballs during a 2014 playoff game.
I can’t be reading this right.
This has to be some knock-off Hall of Fame or something, it can’t be the actual NFL Hall of Fame.
There is not a single world whatsoever in which Bill Belichick should not be a First-Ballot Hall of Famer. https://t.co/OXhL1Sd4FM
— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) January 27, 2026
Bill Belichick not being a first ballot Hall of Famer means that no coach should ever be. It means that the voters have decided there isn’t a coaching resume that warrants First Ballot consideration!
He is the GREATEST, most ACCOMPLISHED coach of all time! This is egregious!
— Ryan Clark (@Realrclark25) January 27, 2026
The two scandals resulted in varying punishments from the NFL, but they were a point of contention among voters when it came to Belichick’s induction into the Hall of Fame.
One voter suggested that former NFL executive Bill Polian suggested Belichick should “wait a year” before being inducted as a response to the cheating allegations during his NFL career.
Polian told ESPN that he did not suggest the one-year penance, but noted that others in the room “float[ed] the idea” and that he did not agree or disagree. Polian also said that he spoke up on Kraft’s behalf during the voting process, adding that the owner had no knowledge of the “Spygate” scheme.
“I was shocked to learn Bill didn’t get in,” Polian said. “He deserves to be in the Hall of Fame.”
Fans will see if Belichick is voted into the Hall of Fame in 2027 at the second time of asking.
