Jan. 28, 2026, 4:53 p.m. ET

Former Indianapolis Colts GM Bill Polian has responded to the report that he played a role in Bill Belichick not getting into the Hall of Fame.

On Tuesday, a report from Don Van Natta Jr. and Seth Wickersham of ESPN stated that Belichick did not meet the 40 out of 50 vote minimum to be inducted into the Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility.

Sources that spoke with Van Natta and Wickersham explained why this could have been the case.

“Multiple sources told ESPN,” wrote Van Natta and Wickersham, “that Spygate and Deflategate, the twin cheating scandals during the Patriots’ championship run, came up in deliberations among voters.

“A voter who spoke on condition of anonymity said that Polian, an ardent Kraft supporter and former general manager of the Buffalo Bills and Indianapolis Colts — a chief Patriots rival during their dynasty — told some voters he believed Belichick should “wait a year” before induction as penance for Spygate.”

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On Wednesday, while appearing Sirius XM radio, Polian addressed the report.

“I voted for Coach Belichick in the Hall of Fame selection meeting,” Polian stated. “The Pro Football Hall of Fame has confirmed that fact through the auditors of the selection process. Again, I’ll state that I never said that Coach Belichick should “wait a year” for enshrinement. This has been confirmed by the Pro Football Hall of Fame, numerous selectors who were in the room, and my vote for Coach Belichick.

“As a Hall of Fame member and selector, I realize the importance of what we do. I’ve always tried as a selector to make these difficult choices with the utmost objectivity. I’ve said on Sirius XM Radio and numerous other media outlets that I believe Coach Belichick to be a first ballot Hall of Famer. My vote confirms that.”

Belichick should have been a shoo-in to the Hall of Fame.

He won eight Super Bowls as a coach in the NFL, six of which came as the Patriots’ head coach. Belichick also has a career record of 333-178. He’s only 14 wins behind Don Shula for the most by a head coach in NFL history.

However, he will now have to wait another year to enter.