New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft and former coach Bill Belichick are among the finalists for possible election to the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s class of 2026. Kraft, who bought the Patriots in 1994, has seen his team win six Super Bowls and play in four others — more than any other owner in NFL history. He is a finalist for the Hall of Fame’s contributor category.Belichick, who was the Patriots’ coach for 24 years, is presently coaching at the University of North Carolina. He parted ways with New England in 2024.Belichick’s record as an NFL head coach is 333-178, including his five seasons with the Cleveland Browns. He is a finalist for the Hall of Fame’s coach category. In a statement posted to Instagram, Belichick said to be a announced as a finalist is “extremely humbling” for him.He thanked the Selection Committee as well as players and coaches he worked with over his career.Belichick congratulated the other finalists, including Kraft, adding that he “hopes to see all of the deserving Patriots selected this year.”Video below: Kraft, Belichick splitOther finalists announced Wednesday include three candidates for the seniors category: quarterback Ken Anderson, running back Roger Craig and defensive end L.C. Greenwood. According to the Hall of Fame’s announcement, each of these finalists now competes directly against the others for election. Each member of the Selection Committee may only vote for three of the five finalists, and a maximum of three can be elected. Meanwhile, 26 players whose careers ended after 2001 remain under consideration in the semifinalist stage for modern-era players: quarterbacks Drew Brees, Eli Manning and Philip Rivers; running backs Frank Gore and Fred Taylor; wide receivers Larry Fitzgerald, Torry Holt, Steve Smith Sr., Hines Ward and Reggie Wayne; tight end Jason Witten; offensive linemen Willie Anderson, Lomas Brown, Jahri Evans, Richmond Webb, Steve Wisniewski and Marshal Yanda; defensive backs Rodney Harrison, Earl Thomas and Darren Woodson; linebackers Luke Kuechly and Terrell Suggs (also DE); defensive linemen Robert Mathis (also LB), Vince Wilfork and Kevin Williams; and kicker Adam Vinatieri.

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. —

New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft and former coach Bill Belichick are among the finalists for possible election to the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s class of 2026.

Kraft, who bought the Patriots in 1994, has seen his team win six Super Bowls and play in four others — more than any other owner in NFL history. He is a finalist for the Hall of Fame’s contributor category.

Belichick, who was the Patriots’ coach for 24 years, is presently coaching at the University of North Carolina. He parted ways with New England in 2024.

Belichick’s record as an NFL head coach is 333-178, including his five seasons with the Cleveland Browns. He is a finalist for the Hall of Fame’s coach category.

In a statement posted to Instagram, Belichick said to be a announced as a finalist is “extremely humbling” for him.

He thanked the Selection Committee as well as players and coaches he worked with over his career.

Belichick congratulated the other finalists, including Kraft, adding that he “hopes to see all of the deserving Patriots selected this year.”

Video below: Kraft, Belichick split

Other finalists announced Wednesday include three candidates for the seniors category: quarterback Ken Anderson, running back Roger Craig and defensive end L.C. Greenwood.

According to the Hall of Fame’s announcement, each of these finalists now competes directly against the others for election. Each member of the Selection Committee may only vote for three of the five finalists, and a maximum of three can be elected.

Meanwhile, 26 players whose careers ended after 2001 remain under consideration in the semifinalist stage for modern-era players: quarterbacks Drew Brees, Eli Manning and Philip Rivers; running backs Frank Gore and Fred Taylor; wide receivers Larry Fitzgerald, Torry Holt, Steve Smith Sr., Hines Ward and Reggie Wayne; tight end Jason Witten; offensive linemen Willie Anderson, Lomas Brown, Jahri Evans, Richmond Webb, Steve Wisniewski and Marshal Yanda; defensive backs Rodney Harrison, Earl Thomas and Darren Woodson; linebackers Luke Kuechly and Terrell Suggs (also DE); defensive linemen Robert Mathis (also LB), Vince Wilfork and Kevin Williams; and kicker Adam Vinatieri.