Bill Belichick, the eight-time Super Bowl–winning coach, will not be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility.
According to multiple sources with direct knowledge of the vote, Belichick did not receive the required 40 of 50 votes needed for first-ballot induction. He was informed of the decision Friday afternoon by a Hall of Fame representative, meaning he will not be enshrined in Canton, Ohio, this summer.
People close to Belichick said he was both puzzled and disappointed by the outcome. “Six Super Bowls isn’t enough?” he reportedly asked one associate, referring to the championships he won as head coach of the New England Patriots. He won two additional Super Bowls as defensive coordinator of the New York Giants. To another associate, he said, “What does a guy have to do?”
One source familiar with Belichick’s thinking said he believes politics played a role in the decision and does not see it as a reflection of his accomplishments.
Belichick declined to comment publicly. A Hall of Fame spokesperson said the organization does not comment on selection committee voting and will formally announce the Class of 2026 at NFL Honors on February 5 in San Francisco.
Belichick owns a career coaching record of 333–178, including the playoffs, second only to Don Shula’s 347 wins. Because of his résumé, many fans and voters believed he was a lock for first-ballot induction.
The Hall of Fame selection committee consists primarily of longtime NFL reporters, along with football figures such as former general manager Bill Polian and former coach Tony Dungy.
This year, Belichick was a finalist alongside Patriots owner Robert Kraft, his longtime partner in building New England’s dynasty. It was the first time Kraft, 84, had reached finalist status after more than a decade of lobbying. Kraft and Belichick have been openly at odds since parting ways in January 2024.
It is unclear whether Kraft or any other finalist received enough votes for induction. Voters met for a full day in mid-January to debate the finalists, which also included three senior candidates: former Bengals quarterback Ken Anderson, former 49ers running back Roger Craig, and the late Steelers defensive end L.C. Greenwood.
Several sources said the Patriots’ past scandals—Spygate and Deflategate—were discussed during deliberations. One voter said some committee members were troubled by those incidents, particularly Spygate, which led to the loss of a first-round draft pick and significant fines for both Belichick and the Patriots.
Polian denied advocating that Belichick should wait a year as punishment for Spygate, saying he was surprised Belichick did not get in and stating that he deserves Hall of Fame recognition.
Former longtime Hall voter Peter King reacted with shock to the news, calling the outcome a major surprise and noting that unexpected decisions often occur behind closed doors.
The situation was further complicated by the strained relationship between Kraft and Belichick, which has played out publicly since their split. That tension deepened after Belichick accepted the head coaching job at North Carolina, where he went 4–8 in his first season.
Meanwhile, Kraft’s Patriots, now coached by Mike Vrabel, are set to face the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl LX on February 8.
Because voters may select only three finalists, competition was especially tight. Some voters had predicted that either Kraft or Belichick—possibly both—could be left out due to the presence of strong senior nominees.
Belichick’s career achievements remain nearly unmatched. He won 17 division titles, nine conference championships, and appeared in 12 Super Bowls as a head coach or assistant. His 21 winning seasons as a head coach rank among the best in NFL history.
Belichick’s absence this year likely delays the chances of other coaching candidates such as Mike Shanahan, Tom Coughlin, and Mike Holmgren.
“This decision doesn’t just affect one year,” King said. “It impacts the entire coaching pipeline going forward.”