Bill Belichick and Robert Kraft will both have to wait at least another year before they are enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and yet another NFL legend has shared his feelings on the surprising development.
New England Patriots owner Kraft and Belichick, who won six Super Bowls across 24 seasons as head coach of the team, were both omitted from the 2026 Hall of Fame class after not receiving the necessary votes. Dianna Russini of The Athletic asked former Patriots coach Bill Parcells for his thoughts on Belichick and Kraft being snubbed, and the two-time AP NFL Coach of the Year did not hold back.
“The snubs on both of these men … it’s ridiculous,” Parcells said. “They unquestionably deserve to be in.”
Parcells has a long history with both Belichick and Kraft. Belichick worked as an assistant under Parcells for 15 years, and the two won a pair of Super Bowls together with the New York Giants. Parcells was also the head coach and general manager of the Patriots from 1993-1996. Kraft bought the team in 1994.
Bill Parcells blasts Hall of Fame voters
Parcells has had issues with both Kraft and Belichick, but he has a great deal of respect for both. He reiterated that while sharing his thoughts with Russini.
“The voters made a mockery of the whole thing,” Parcells said. “Too many people get personal with their feelings instead of doing the job. That’s what happened here.”
There have been reports that some voters chose not to back Belichick and Kraft this year as some sort of punishment for the “Spygate” scandal that took place in 2007. Belichick has also been infamously short with the media over the years, so some people believe that hurt him in the Hall of Fame voting process.
Bill Parcells’ opinion is shared by many
Parcells certainly is not the only former NFL player or coach who believes both Belichick and Kraft deserved to be part of the 2026 Pro Football Hall of Fame class. Former Patriots defensive tackle Vince Wilfork agrees with Parcells that certain voters left Belichick off their ballots for “personal” reasons. Legendary tight end Rob Gronkowski also had a strong reaction to the situation.
It is widely assumed that Belichick and Kraft will both be enshrined in Canton eventually. Some voters felt both needed to wait a year, and Parcells is just the latest NFL legend to rip those who let their personal feelings stand in the way of the process.