Its owner and its coach were just named finalists for the 2026 class of the Pro Football Hall of Fame—Robert Kraft and Bill Belichick. This milestone is a huge moment for both the co-architects of the New England Patriots and the franchise’s storied history. Kraft, 84, and Belichick both are up for induction this year, with Belichick sensibly earning the nod as a first-time finalist. They represent the rich and complex history that has changed them from allies into adversaries.
The seasoned music maker Kraft has been on the Hall of Fame radar for ages, having campaigned for more than 14 years. His work with the NFL has been tremendously impactful. His leadership on many of the league’s most important ownership committees has been critical in keeping the league’s ship steady. He was chosen for the 2023 award from a very competitive field that was made up of nine other semifinalists in the contributor category. Belichick is the giant so far in the coaching position, holding a legendary record.
Under his leadership since 2000, Belichick has won eight Super Bowls. He won six of those championships as head coach of the New England Patriots and two as defensive coordinator for the New York Giants. He is currently tied for the most division titles in NFL history as a head coach, with 17. On top of that, he has nine conference championships, which is a Super Bowl era record.
The Hall of Fame voting committee is tasked with deciding between Kraft and Belichick along with three finalists from the senior committee: quarterback Ken Anderson, running back Roger Craig, and defensive end L.C. Greenwood. This year’s competition was particularly intense and representative of the diverse list of contributions these trailblazers have made to the game of professional football.
As these two influential men look to make that historic advancement, their alliance has turned decidedly icy. Ever since they went their separate ways, they’ve both faced a barrage of public comments that favor one side or the other. In July, Kraft shot back at Belichick’s assertion that he took a “huge chance” on hiring him. Yet, it was truly Belichick who was taking the “big risk” by agreeing to coach a franchise in the toilet and weighed down with financial woes.
“Every home game has been sold out since, and the franchise has been valued at $7 billion,” – The Hall
Though the two artists had a notoriously rocky relationship, most feel that a combined induction would make an appropriate capstone to their mutual legacy. A veteran Hall of Fame voter remarked, “You could have a delicious moment where Kraft and Belichick get busts together.” Yet they came to terms with the fact that there could be only one of them inducted in 2023.
Tension surfaced again when Kraft summoned the courage to not invite Belichick to Bill Parcells’ Patriots Hall of Fame induction ceremony. This decision marked their growing estrangement. Even Belichick himself has reportedly felt ostracized from the organization he built into a dynasty.
“It’s clear I’m not welcome at [the Patriots] facility,” – Bill Belichick
The Hall of Fame candidacy for both men is fraught with complications. Yet some critics take issue with Kraft’s qualifications, due to his ownership status relative to other, more establishment sport contributors. Notably, one observer queried, “He hasn’t been to the NFC title game in two decades and he gets in?” Even so, many insiders insist that Kraft’s far-reaching contributions to the league warrant his reinstatement.
“There’s no box that Robert Kraft doesn’t check to get into the Hall of Fame,” – Polian
As both Kraft and Belichick go on to wait for quelled news from the successful voting committee, their outstanding legacy dangles by a idiotic balance. A joint induction would represent a powerful healing and acknowledgment of the shared fate they’ve had together as brothers in the NFL. That’s still a distinct and unsettling possibility that only one of them will receive a highly desired bronze bust in Canton this year.
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