Renowned coach Bill Belichick is garnering backing from New England Patriots players following reports that he was not inducted into this year’s Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Although the official lineup for the 2026 Pro Football Hall of Fame class remains under wraps, ESPN’s Don Van Natta Jr. and Seth Wickersham revealed on Monday, January 26, that the 73-year-old Belichick didn’t secure enough votes for induction. This marks his inaugural year of eligibility.

In response to the whispers of his exclusion, numerous players have taken to social media to voice their discontent.

Julian Edelman, who spent 12 seasons under Belichick’s leadership with the Patriots, succinctly expressed his dismay. “Smh,” he posted on X alongside the ESPN report regarding the supposed snub.

Despite any current affiliations, Tom Brady and Bill Belichick remain iconic figures in New England Patriots history. “I’m extremely thankful for playing under the greatest NFL coach,” Brady, 46, shared on Instagram on Thursday, January 11, following an announcement by the Patriots that…

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.

“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 New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft forged a historic partnership in the NFL before their relationship devolved into public mudslinging. Belichick coached the Patriots to six Super Bowl championships between 2002 and 2019. The coach announced in January 2024 that he’d reached a mutual decision with Kraft to leave the team, despite […]

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.)