FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Robert Kraft, the longtime owner of the New England Patriots, has reportedly been passed over for induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame's class of 2026, joining his former head coach Bill Belichick on the outside looking in. According to multiple reports, the Hall of Fame voters selected three candidates from a finalists group that included Kraft, Belichick, Ken Anderson, Roger Craig, and L.C. Greenwood, leaving the two key figures behind the Patriots' dynasty without a spot in Canton this year.
The news surfaced on Tuesday amid heightened anticipation for Super Bowl LX, where the Patriots are set to face the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday at the San Jose Convention Center. Kraft, now 84, has been a fixture in the NFL since purchasing the Patriots in 1994 for $172 million. He had been a season-ticket holder since the 1970s, watching the team evolve from a struggling franchise under owners like William Sullivan to a powerhouse under his stewardship.
When Kraft took over, Bill Parcells was the head coach, leading the team to its first Super Bowl appearance in 1996. Parcells departed after that season, and Pete Carroll coached for three years before Belichick arrived in 2000. It was the partnership between Kraft and Belichick that transformed the Patriots into a modern dynasty. Belichick's decision to insert an unheralded sixth-round draft pick, Tom Brady, into the lineup in 2001 after an injury to starter Drew Bledsoe sparked an era of unprecedented success.
Together, Kraft, Belichick, and Brady delivered six Super Bowl titles between 2001 and 2018, including victories in 2002, 2004, 2005, 2015, 2017, and 2019. The Patriots' 20-5 playoff record during that span and their consistent contention for the Lombardi Trophy cemented their legacy. Now, as the team prepares for a potential seventh championship against the Seahawks, the Hall of Fame snub has added an unexpected layer of drama to the week.
NFL fans expressed widespread confusion and disappointment over the decisions. Social media lit up with reactions, many drawing parallels between the Belichick and Kraft omissions. "It's asinine," former Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski said of Belichick's exclusion in a recent interview. Gronkowski, a four-time Super Bowl winner with the team, emphasized the coach's unparalleled impact on the game.
The selection process for the Hall of Fame involves a committee of former players, coaches, and media members who deliberate on finalists. In this case, the voters were tasked with choosing three from the group of five senior candidates. Reports indicate that Anderson, a former Cincinnati Bengals quarterback who led the team to its first Super Bowl in 1981, along with running backs Craig and Greenwood, advanced instead. Craig, a three-time Super Bowl champion with the San Francisco 49ers, and Greenwood, a defensive end for the Pittsburgh Steelers' Steel Curtain defense, bring their own storied histories to the class.
Super Bowl champion Brent Jones, a former 49ers tight end and Hall of Famer, weighed in on the Belichick snub during a recent appearance. "Bill Belichick is the greatest coach in NFL history," Jones said, highlighting the six championships and 333 regular-season wins under Belichick's tenure. Jones's comments underscore the sentiment among many in the football community that the omissions defy conventional wisdom.
At a pre-Super Bowl LX press conference on Monday, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell addressed the situation directly. "Bill Belichick’s record goes without saying – same with the Patriots and Robert Kraft, who is also a candidate," Goodell said. He added, "They’re spectacular. They’ve contributed so much to this game and I believe they’ll be Hall of Famers." Goodell stressed that the league has no role in the voting process, which is handled independently by the Hall of Fame.
Kraft's contributions extend beyond on-field success. Under his ownership, the Patriots built Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, opening in 2002 as a state-of-the-art facility that hosts not only NFL games but also concerts and other events. Kraft has also been active in league-wide initiatives, including efforts to expand the NFL internationally and support social causes. His tenure has seen the franchise's value soar to over $7 billion, according to Forbes estimates.
The timing of the reports, just days before the Super Bowl, has amplified the story. On Sunday, February 1, 2026, Kraft spoke to a crowd of thousands at a Patriots send-off rally in Foxborough. Dressed in team gear, he rallied fans with promises of another title, though he made no mention of the Hall of Fame developments. Photos from the event show him beaming amid the sea of red, white, and blue.
Belichick, who parted ways with the Patriots on January 11, 2024, after 24 seasons, has since taken a role with a media outlet, analyzing games and sharing insights. His press conference announcing the departure at Gillette Stadium drew national attention, with Belichick reflecting on the dynasty he helped build. Now 73, he remains one of the most respected minds in football, and many expect his Hall of Fame call to come soon—perhaps as early as 2027.
The full Pro Football Hall of Fame class of 2026 is expected to be revealed later this week, potentially shedding more light on the selections. While Kraft and Belichick were not chosen this time, their eligibility remains open for future ballots. The Hall's rules allow for multiple opportunities, and given their resumes, insiders predict induction is inevitable.
As the Patriots gear up for Super Bowl LX, the focus shifts back to the field. Kraft was present at the team's Opening Night event on February 2, 2026, at the San Jose Convention Center, mingling with players and media. The snub, while perplexing to many, hasn't dampened the excitement surrounding the matchup against Seattle, where quarterback Geno Smith leads a resurgent Seahawks squad.
In the broader context of NFL history, omissions like this are rare for figures of Kraft and Belichick's stature. Past owners like the Rooney family of the Pittsburgh Steelers have been enshrined for similar long-term impacts. Analysts point out that the Hall's senior committee sometimes prioritizes overlooked contributors from earlier eras, which may explain the choices this year.
Looking ahead, a seventh Super Bowl win could bolster Kraft's case even further. With the game set for Sunday, all eyes will be on whether the Patriots can add to their legacy on the biggest stage. For now, the Hall of Fame wait continues, but the football world agrees: Robert Kraft's place in history is already secure.