Tom Brady 'Concerned' About Hall of Fame Chances After Belichick, Kraft Snubs

The former Patriots quarterback joked that news of his ex-coach and owner's delayed Hall of Fame inductions has him worried about his own first-ballot selection.

Published on Feb. 4, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Tom Brady, the seven-time Super Bowl champion quarterback, joked that he is "a little concerned" about his own chances of being a first-ballot Hall of Famer after Bill Belichick and Robert Kraft, his former coach and owner with the New England Patriots, were not selected for immediate induction. Brady, who is eligible for the Hall of Fame in 2028 after retiring in 2023, said the news of Belichick and Kraft's snubs has him questioning whether his own Canton enshrinement is a sure thing.

Why it matters

Brady's comments highlight the ongoing debate around the Hall of Fame credentials of the key figures behind the Patriots' two-decade dynasty. Belichick and Kraft's delayed inductions raise questions about how the Hall of Fame selection committee views the contributions of coaches and owners versus star players like Brady.

The details

Brady, who won six Super Bowls with the Patriots and one with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, said he was "baffled" by Kraft's snub as a contributor, given the owner's attention to detail and dedication to the franchise since purchasing it in 1994. Kraft has overseen 11 AFC titles and 22 division crowns during his tenure. Meanwhile, Belichick, considered by many to be the greatest coach in NFL history, was also not selected as a first-ballot Hall of Famer, contrary to expectations.

  • Brady retired from the NFL in 2023.
  • Brady will be eligible for the Hall of Fame in 2028, five years after his retirement.

The players

Tom Brady

A seven-time Super Bowl champion quarterback and three-time NFL MVP who won six titles with the New England Patriots and one with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Bill Belichick

The head coach of the New England Patriots, considered by many to be the greatest coach in NFL history.

Robert Kraft

The owner of the New England Patriots since 1994, overseeing 11 AFC titles and 22 division crowns during his tenure.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“To me, it's not a matter of … just like Bill, if they're going to get in, but when they're going to get in. They're tremendous at what they've done in the league. Maybe it's not trending so well for ex-Patriots (and) maybe I should be a little concerned here, but at some point, this thing is going to go in everyone's direction the right way.”

— Tom Brady (The Herd)

“I believe the owner is the chief accountability officer and you hold everyone to a standard and you expect everyone to live up to that. Believe me, when the owner is sitting int he team meeting room, the players are sitting up a lot straight. The head coach's message is directed a lot more intently. RKK, his office was at the stadium. He would sit in meeting rooms. He would out there on the practice and at every road game, shaking hands as they walked off the field. There's an importance in Patriots football that RKK does not take lightly.”

— Tom Brady (The Herd)

What’s next

The Hall of Fame selection committee will announce its class of 2028 inductees, which will include Brady's eligibility, in the coming years.

The takeaway

Brady's comments highlight the ongoing debate around the Hall of Fame credentials of the key figures behind the Patriots' dynasty, with Belichick and Kraft's delayed inductions raising questions about how the selection committee views the contributions of coaches and owners versus star players like Brady.