J.J. Watt, Patrick Mahomes, others react to stunning news of Bill Belichick first-ballot Hall of Fame snub originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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Former New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick will likely be enshrined in the NFL Hall of Fame, but it won’t happen in 2026.
In a shocking decision, Belichick did not receive the 80% of votes necessary for enshrinement in his first year on the ballot.
Despite Belichick’s eight Super Bowl rings, six as a head coach, he did not reach 40 of the 50 votes required. One of the main reasons, as outlined by Seth Wickersham, was due to the Spygate and Deflategate cheating scandals that took place during Belichick’s tenure. According to an anonymous source of Wickersham’s, some “believed Belichick should ‘wait a year’ before induction as penance for Spygate.”
The decision not to elect Belichick in his first year of eligibility was not well received. Despite the coach’s past scandals and the current unsuccessful transition to college coaching, he is still widely accepted as deserving of the Hall of Fame and should have been elected in his first year.
Here is more on the NFL world’s reaction to Belichick not being a first-ballot Hall of Famer.
MORE: Why is Bill Belichick not a first ballot Hall of Famer?
Reactions to Bill Belichick not being a first ballot Hall of Famer
J.J. Watt
The former star defender weighed in on Belichick not being elected to Canton in his first year on the ballot. Watt never played for Belichick, always against him, but that didn’t stop him from respecting an NFL legend. Watt himself will be first eligible for a call to the hall in 2028.
I can’t be reading this right.
This has to be some knock-off Hall of Fame or something, it can’t be the actual NFL Hall of Fame.
There is not a single world whatsoever in which Bill Belichick should not be a First-Ballot Hall of Famer. https://t.co/OXhL1Sd4FM
— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) January 27, 2026
Darius Butler
Butler spent nine years in the NFL. He began his career playing for Belichick in New England for two years. He then spent the 2011 season with the Carolina Panthers before ending his career with a six-year stint with the Indianapolis Colts. Even though Butler wasn’t with the Patriots long, he still respects Belichick.
If BILL BELICHICK isn’t a first ballot HOFer who is!? pic.twitter.com/qywmMgbLuD
— Darius Butler (@DariusJButler) January 27, 2026
Pat McAfee
McAfee is always outspoken when it comes to sports. He has his daily show where he covers the sports world, and he has had Belichick on many times. McAfee, like the rest of social media, was stunned at the decision.
Bill Belichick is officially not a first ballot Pro Football Hall Of Famer
Bill Belichick..
Bill Belichick could be in 🐐 conversations for Coach AND GM and he isn’t a first ballot Hall Of Famer in the PRO FOOTBALL Hall Of Fame https://t.co/B82i0PTbMDpic.twitter.com/LIg7DoFrFT
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) January 27, 2026
Peter King
King is an American sportswriter who wrote for Sports Illustrated from 1989 to 2018. From 1992 to 2024 he served as a member on the Board of Selectors for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. When hearing that Belichick wasn’t elected in a year that King didn’t have a vote, he had a simple, but pointed response.
Electric @peter_king quote here via @SethWickersham. https://t.co/DbfaPyGSR6pic.twitter.com/UwV9gbZXRW
— Kevin Clark (@bykevinclark) January 27, 2026
Ryan Clark
Clark is currently an NFL analyst with ESPN, but played in the NFL from 2002 to 2014. He spent the majority of his career (2006 to 2013) with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Clark played against Belichick several times, but there is no doubt in his mind that Belichick is deserving of enshrinement.
Bill Belichick not being a first ballot Hall of Famer means that no coach should ever be. It means that the voters have decided there isn’t a coaching resume that warrants First Ballot consideration!
He is the GREATEST, most ACCOMPLISHED coach of all time! This is egregious!
— Ryan Clark (@Realrclark25) January 27, 2026
Patrick Mahomes
Mahomes is likely going to find himself in Canton one day. Like others, he is stunned at the decision.
Insane… don’t even understand how this could be possible https://t.co/EiKUeRPffn
— Patrick Mahomes II (@PatrickMahomes) January 27, 2026
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