Kraft, Belichick named finalists for NFL Hall of Fame

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (WLNE) — Two of the three key architects of the New England Patriots dynasty have been nominated for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2026.

According to a social media post from the team, Patriots owner Robert Kraft and former Head Coach Bill Belichick have been named as finalists for a place in Canton.

This is the first nomination for Belichick, who coached the team to six Super Bowl victories from 2000-2023.

Kraft has been nominated and reached the semifinalist list for the Hall of Fame 13 times, and is making his first appearance as a finalist.

Kraft bought the generally hapless Patriots in 1994 for $172 million, helping transform the “Patsies” into a premier NFL franchise worth as much as $9 billion.

Former Patriots quarterback Tom Brady will be eligible for the 2028 Hall of Fame class.