New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft and former head coach Bill Belichick have each been namedamong the finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame's Class of 2026. Kraft was nominated as a contributor, whileBelichick was nominated as a coach.
Ken Anderson, Roger Craig and L.C. Greenwood are the three senior finalists for the class. A maximum of three of the five finalists can be selected.
Members of the selection committee may cast a vote for just three of the five finalists. A candidate must have at least 80% of the selection committee votes to be elected; if no candidates receive the required 80% approval, then the individual with the most support would be elected to the Hall of Fame.
The committee will vote at its annual meeting next year before revealing the class during Super Bowl LX week in San Francisco. This is the second year the Hall of Fame Class has been selected like this.
Kraft purchased the Patriots in 1994. Belichick coached the Patriots for 23 seasons. Belichick has the second-most career NFL victories (including playoffs) with a 333-178 record and has won 31 of 44 games in the postseason — including six Super Bowls. Belichick also has two Super Bowl rings as an assistant coach with the New York Giants and was the head coach of the Cleveland Browns before joining the Patriots. Belichick's success led to a selection to the NFL 100 All-Time Team.
The pair helped lead the Patriots to six Super Bowl victories and they were in four others. Kraft's team has made 10 Super Bowl appearances, three more than any other owner in NFL history. Most of their success together came with former quarterback Tom Brady.
After managing double-digit victories for 17 consecutive seasons, things came to a skid followingBrady's 2020 departure to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where he won the Super Bowl in his first year with the team. Belichick's Patriots held a 29-38 record in his final four Brady-less seasons coaching the franchise.
In 2023, Kraft decided to move on from Belichick, and the Patriots named Jerod Mayo their new head coach. Mayo played linebacker for the Patriots and was the linebackers' coach at the time. The Patriotsfired Mayo after his 4-13 debut season as head coach.
This season, the Patriotshired Mike Vrabel as their head coach. Vrabel played on defense for the Patriots and was the former head coach of the Tennessee Titans. In Vrabel's first season as the Patriots' head coach, they have the best record in the NFL at 11-2.
After sitting out the 2024 season, Belichick wasannounced as the new head coach for the North Carolina Tar Heels. In hisdebut season with the Tar Heels, North Carolinawent 4-8 andwasnot bowl eligible.
The Pro Football Hall of Fame's Class of 2026 will be announced during the annual NFL Honors show on Feb. 5, 2026, with the enshrinement taking place on Aug. 8.