Two former members of the New York Giants — Bill Belichick and Eli Manning — will not be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2026.
One of the greatest coaches of all time will not be entering the Hall of Fame this year.
According to ESPN, Belichick fell short of the 40 out of 50 votes needed for induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Many experts believed Belichick would be a lock to enter the Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility. Instead, Belichick will have to wait another year to take his spot in Canton, Ohio.
Belichick was a coaching finalist alongside Patriots owner Robert Kraft as a contributor. Former players Ken Anderson, Roger Craig, and L.C. Greenwood were the three senior finalists.
A maximum of three of the five finalists can be elected in the Class of 2026. It is unknown if the other four names besides Belichick made the Hall of Fame.
Belichick began his coaching career as a special assistant with the Baltimore Colts in 1975. Belichick went on to coach with the Giants for 12 seasons.
Belichick won two Super Bowls (1986 & 1990) as the defensive coordinator with the New York Giants.
Belichick’s first stint as a head coach was with the Cleveland Browns from 1991 to 1995.
Five years later, Belichick became the head coach of the New England Patriots. Belichick took the Patriots to new heights, winning six Super Bowls over 18 seasons. After parting ways with the Patriots in 2023, Belichick became the head coach at the University of North Carolina in 2025.
Belichick’s 33-178 overall record is second to Don Shula’s 347 career victories.
Why did Belichick miss out on the Hall of Fame? ESPN reports that Spygate and Deflategate, Belichick’s two cheating scandals, came up during deliberations and played a factor in the snub.
The entire NFL community, from Tom Brady and J.J. Watt to Jimmy Johnson and Patrick Mahomes, all expressed their disgust with the snubbing.
Hall of Fame could change rules
Statement from the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Doesn’t name Bill Belichick but says if a voter violated the selection process bylaws, action will be taken, including the removing the voter from the committee. pic.twitter.com/OHaGPZvs4R
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) January 28, 2026
The Belichick decision sent so many shockwaves through the NFL community that the Pro Football Hall of Fame released a statement.
“The Pro Football Hall of Fame understands and respects the passionate reaction of many fans, media members and enshrinees of the Hall itself in light of published reports regarding the voting results for the Class of 2026,” the Hall said. “It’s that very passion that propels the game. The Hall also respects the members of the Selection Committee when they follow the selection process bylaws. It is an honor to serve as a selector.”
The Hall said that if voting members “violated the selection process bylaws,” actions to reprimand or remove that member will be taken.
Eli Manning misses the Hall of Fame for the second straight year
Another Giants legend will miss out on the Hall of Fame.
Per The Athletic’s Ian O’Connor, Manning fell short of the Hall of Fame vote for the second consecutive year.
Manning was one of the 15 modern-era finalists with a shot at Canton.
Manning finished his career with a 117-117 record, 57,023 career yards, 366 touchdowns, and 244 interceptions.
Manning is best known for leading the New York Giants to a pair of Super Bowl victories over the New England Patriots. In both games, Manning won Super Bowl MVP.
Despite missing out on the Hall of Fame, many believe Manning will eventually get in down the road.
