Bill Belichick is receiving support from the New England Patriots players after reports surfaced that the legendary coach was not elected into this year’s Pro Football Hall of Fame.
While the 2026 class for the Pro Football Hall of Fame have yet to be officially revealed, ESPN journalists Don Van Natta Jr. and Seth Wickersham reported on Monday, January 26, that Belichick, 73, did not receive enough votes to receive the honor. This was Belichick’s first year of eligibility.
Amid the rumors that Belichick did not make the cut, several players have since spoken out, including Rob Gronkowski. The former tight end told Today that he hasn’t spoken to his former coach, but that Belichick has a Hall of Fame resume.
“There had to be some voters that have some ill will against Coach Bill Belichick, for whatever reason,” Gronkowski, 36, said on Thursday, January 29. “But that should be, you know, overlooked. It’s all about resume and Coach Belichick has the resume. I mean, eight Super Bowls … this guy has the resume.”
Gronkowski continued, “And on top of it, how many lives he has touched and how many opportunities he has given to former players and coaches as well? I mean, Coach Belichick 100 percent deserved to be a first-ballot Hall of Famer. He’s clearly gonna get into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, but he was definitely snubbed over the last couple days.”
Bill Belichick and Robert Kraft’s Tumultuous Relationship: A Timeline
Other players vented their frustration via social media.
“Smh,” Julian Edelman, who played 12 seasons with the Patriots under Belichick’s tenure, wrote via X on Tuesday, January 27, alongside ESPN’s report of the coach’s alleged snub.
Former Patriots center David Andrews also reacted to the speculation, writing, “I mean this is crazy. What are we even voting on?”
Jason McCourty, who was a cornerback for the Patriots for two seasons at the end of Belchick’s time with the team, expressed his confusion over his former coach’s alleged snub.
“I need someone to explain to me what a first ballot hall of fame coach looks like if it’s not Bill!” McCourty, 38, tweeted on Tuesday.
McCourty also defended Belichick for how much dedication he put into the team during his time with the Patriots.
Tom Brady Pays Tribute to ‘Best Coach’ Bill Belichick After Patriots Exit
“The amount of time he would spend in meetings discussing the history of each team from ownership down to players was unreal,” McCourty tweeted on Tuesday. “Idiotic that he’s not a first ballot HOFer!”
Former Patriots defensive tackle Davon Godchaux was surprised that Belichick’s impressive resume didn’t get him an automatic acceptance right away. (Belichick led the Patriots to six Super Bowl wins.)
“I guess winning doesn’t mean much these days huh😂😂😂 this might be the dumbest s**t you will see!” Godchaux wrote via X on Tuesday. “Has to be more behind this🧐🤔, but this will never make sense! Those voters shouldn’t have a vote ever again!!!”
Matt Cassel, who was the Patriots backup quarterback for Tom Brady from 2005 to 2008, called Belichick’s exclusion “insane.”
“That’s insane and absolutely ridiculous. He is the greatest to ever do it! First Ballot is for the best in our game, both players and coaches,” Cassel tweeted. “Bill clearly is deserving of that honor.”
Bill Belichick and Robert Kraft’s Tumultuous Relationship: A Timeline
Belichick was the head coach for the Patriots for more than two decades. He became the team’s head coach in 2000 and also had near-complete control over the team’s football operations. The coach helped orchestrate the Patriots’ winning dynasty as the team made nine Super Bowl appearances under his reign.
In 2023, Belichick parted ways with the Patriots after 24 seasons. Two years later, Belichick became the head football coach for the University of North Carolina.
Not only did Belichick lead the Patriots to multiple Super Bowl wins, the coach also has 333 regular-season and postseason wins, which ranks him second behind late Miami Dolphins coach Don Shula. (Shula was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1997.)
