Robert Kraft has just received some bad news

The Pro Football Hall of Fame continues to be a talking point, and this time it's not just a legend behind the bench who finds himself on the sidelines.

After Bill Belichick, now the iconic owner of the New England Patriots, Robert Kraft, will also have to wait before seeing his name engraved among the immortals of football.

According to information reported by Adam Schefter, Kraft did not receive the required number of votes from the selection committee to be inducted in 2026. This decision comes as a surprise to many, considering the owner's historic impact on the Patriots' dynasty over the past two decades.

Robert Kraft was among the five finalists in the category for contributors, coaches, and senior players who played after 2000. It was a strong group that also included Bill Belichick, former running back Roger Craig, former quarterback Ken Anderson, and defensive end L.C. Greenwood.

The selection process is strict: the 50 committee members must choose three candidates from among the five. To be inducted, a finalist must receive at least 40 votes. This year, Kraft simply did not reach that threshold, postponing his induction to a later date.

It should also be noted that a recent rule change has altered the dynamics. Coaches are now eligible just one season after retirement, rather than after a five-year wait. This change allowed Belichick to enter the process more quickly… but without achieving the desired result.

A decision that reignites the debate around the selection process

Last week, Bill Belichick's absence from the inductees sparked a wave of reactions across the football world. Several analysts criticized the lack of recognition for the architect of six Super Bowl titles in New England.

Robert Kraft himself spoke out in defense of his former coach, saying that Belichick was, in his opinion, “the best coach in history” and deserved unanimous induction in his first year of eligibility.

Ironically, Kraft now finds himself in the same situation. Two figures inextricably linked to the modern era of the Patriots have been left waiting by the Hall of Fame. It's a decision that is likely to continue to fuel discussion between now and next year.

This content was created with the help of AI.