𝓤𝓷𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓝𝓮𝔀𝓼

New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft and former Patriots coach Bill Belichick are among the five finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2026 as chosen by Blue-Ribbon Committees, the Hall of Fame announced Wednesday.

Kraft and Belichick are joined by senior finalists Ken Anderson, Roger Craig and L.C. Greenwood. Members of the full Hall of Fame selection committee can vote for up to three of these finalists during their annual meeting next year, and candidates need 80 percent of the vote to be elected. If no finalist gains 80 percent of the vote, the one with the highest percentage would be elected. That means Kraft and Belichick could enter the Hall together — or could be competing for one slot if none of the candidates reach the 80 percent threshold.

The Patriots have become one of the most successful and valuable franchises since Kraft took over as owner, chairman and CEO in 1994. They won the Super Bowl in 2001, their first of six wins over nine total appearances. Those championship rings came under during of the most memorable dynasties in the sport, led on the field by quarterback Tom Brady and coached by Belichick.

Belichick brought the Patriots to their first Super Bowl win in his second season in New England. He finished his NFL head coaching career with a record of 333-178, second in wins only to Hall of Famer Don Shula. Although Kraft and Belichick worked in tandem for 24 seasons during the Patriots’ glory days, their relationship has been strained since Belichick’s tenure ended after the 2023 season, particularly over disputes about how Belichick’s career concluded in New England. As of last year, the Hall of Fame reduced the waiting period for coach candidates from five seasons out of the game to one season, making this Belichick’s first eligible year.

Craig is a notable finalist because he spent the bulk of his career with the San Francisco 49ers, who will host Super Bowl LX at Levi’s Stadium in February. Craig was the first NFL player to total 1,000 yards rushing and receiving in the same season in 1985. He won three Super Bowls for the 49ers before short playing stints with the Raiders and Vikings.

Anderson spent the entirety of his 16-year NFL career as a quarterback for the Cincinnati Bengals. In a career-defining 1981 season, Anderson was the league’s Offensive Player of the Year, Comeback Player of the Year and MVP.

Greenwood was a four-time Super Bowl champion with the Pittsburgh Steelers. A six-time Pro Bowl defensive end, Greenwood was a part of the famous “Steel Curtain” defensive units of the 1970s, and spent his entire 13-year career in Pittsburgh.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame 2026 class will be introduced during Super Bowl LX week in San Francisco. Among last year’s five Blue-Ribbon Committee finalists, former Packers receiver Sterling Sharpe was the only individual voted in.

This is the second year the Hall of Fame has split the coach and contributor categories, with the Blue-Ribbon Committee selecting one finalist from each.