Drew Brees, Larry Fitzgerald headline 2026 Hall of Fame class

Bill Belichick, Robert Kraft notably absent from induction

Feb. 6, 2026 at 9:55am

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The 2026 Pro Football Hall of Fame class was announced, featuring five players including quarterback Drew Brees and wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald in their first year of eligibility. However, the class was notable for the absence of six-time Super Bowl winning head coach Bill Belichick and Patriots owner Robert Kraft, who both failed to get enough votes for induction.

Why it matters

The Hall of Fame induction process has faced criticism in recent years, with some high-profile candidates like Belichick and Kraft being snubbed. This class highlights the ongoing debate around the Hall of Fame voting and selection criteria, as well as the legacy of some of the NFL's all-time greats.

The details

In addition to Brees and Fitzgerald, the 2026 Hall of Fame class included linebacker Luke Kuechly, kicker Adam Vinatieri, and running back Roger Craig. Belichick and Kraft were grouped with other long-retired candidates, and the new voting rules made it harder for them to get inducted this year. Vinatieri, who played for Belichick in New England, expressed surprise that the coach didn't make it, saying 'his stats speak for themselves'.

  • The 2026 Pro Football Hall of Fame class was announced on February 6, 2026 at the NFL Honors event.

The players

Drew Brees

A quarterback who spent the majority of his 20-year NFL career with the New Orleans Saints, leading the team to a Super Bowl championship in 2009. Brees is second all-time in passing yards and touchdown passes.

Larry Fitzgerald

A wide receiver who spent his entire 17-year career with the Arizona Cardinals. Fitzgerald is second all-time in receptions and receiving yards, and helped the Cardinals reach their only Super Bowl appearance in 2008.

Bill Belichick

A six-time Super Bowl winning head coach who led the New England Patriots dynasty for over 20 years. Belichick has the most wins of any head coach in NFL history, but failed to get inducted into the Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility.

Robert Kraft

The owner of the New England Patriots, who oversaw the team's dynasty under Bill Belichick. Kraft also failed to get inducted into the Hall of Fame alongside Belichick.

Adam Vinatieri

A kicker who played for 24 seasons in the NFL, primarily with the New England Patriots and Indianapolis Colts. Vinatieri is the NFL's all-time leading scorer and made several iconic game-winning kicks during the Patriots' dynasty.

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What they’re saying

“One of the coolest moments was getting up on that stage with all the other Hall of Famers. That moment kind of crystallized it for me.”

— Larry Fitzgerald

“His stats speak for themselves. I thought he'd have a real good chance to be up there as well. The people who voted made their votes and I think he'll be up here one day.”

— Adam Vinatieri, Kicker

“Very early on you realized there was something special and unique about these guys.”

— Drew Brees

What’s next

The Hall of Fame voting process and selection criteria will likely continue to be a topic of discussion and debate in the coming years, as high-profile candidates like Belichick and Kraft await their potential induction.

The takeaway

The 2026 Hall of Fame class highlights the ongoing challenges and controversies surrounding the Hall of Fame selection process, as well as the enduring legacies of some of the NFL's all-time greats like Brees, Fitzgerald, and Vinatieri.