Cote’s Poll Dance: Should Belichick have been first-ballot Hall inductee? Vote!
Six-time Super Bowl champion head coach Bill Belichick being denied a first-ballot induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame is a stunning decision that has mostly earned derision.
ESPN reported the longtime Patriots coach will not be among Class of ‘26 inductees announced Thursday, Feb. 6 at the NFL Honors awards show leading up to Sunday’s Super Bowl in Santa Clara, Cal.
Apparently the 2007 Spygate scandal led to enough voters denying or at least delaying his Hall entry. There is also speculation that Patriots owner Robert Kraft, expected to be inducted, did not want to share the stage with his now-enemy former coach and lobbied against Belichick.
Weighing everything, do you think Belichick should have been a first-ballot Hall of Famer?
As always, you may vote as many times as you like or until your fingers ache. Go!
GREG COTE’S POLL DANCE: Should Bill Belichick have been a first-ballot Hall of Famer?
Previous Poll Dance result: Your pick to win Super Bowl is out. Your least-favorite is in: We asked, “Which team of NFL’s final four do you most want to win the Super Bowl?” You said Denver Broncos 36%, Seattle Seahawks 28%, Los Angeles Rams 27%, and New England Patriots 9%. The Seahawks and Patriots will meet Feb. 8 in Santa Clara, Cal.
This story was originally published January 30, 2026 at 5:52 PM.
