Kraft, Belichick appear on 2026 Hall of Fame ballot together - ESPN

Robert Kraft and Bill Belichick, the co-architects of an NFL dynasty in New England who have become bitter antagonists since parting ways, are both finalists for the 2026 class of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

The Hall announced Wednesday morning that Kraft, who has owned the six-time Super Bowl-winning Patriots since 1994, was the lone finalist in the Hall's contributor category. This marks the first time Kraft, 84, is a finalist for the Hall after 14 years of campaigning on his behalf by his team's longtime PR man and other supporters.

Belichick, the eight-time Super Bowl-winning coach — six as head coach of the Patriots, two as the defensive coordinator of the New York Giants — is the finalist in the coaching category during his first year of eligibility, the Hall said.

While sources with knowledge of the voting process told ESPN that Kraft's fate with the 50 Hall voters is far from certain, they said Belichick, 73, is believed to be a favorite for induction. His NFL coaching record of 333-178 (including playoffs) is second all time only to Don Shula's 347 victories.

Two nine-member committees — one for coaches, the other for contributors — selected Kraft and Belichick for consideration by Hall voters next month. If both Belichick and Kraft win 80% of the total vote, the two men will be inducted side by side in Canton next summer.

«You could have a delicious moment where Kraft and Belichick get busts together,» a veteran Hall of Fame voter told ESPN on Tuesday night. «I'd pay a lot of money to watch that.… Of course, only one of the two men could get in. And I'd pay a hell of a lot of money to see that.»

Kraft's spokesman did not immediately respond to a call Wednesday. Belichick declined to comment.

Three finalists