SAN FRANCISCO — A week after news broke that longtime coach Bill Belichick would not be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame this year, Patriots owner Robert Kraft learned he, too, will be on the outside looking in.
A league source confirmed Tuesday that the wait for a gold jacket will continue for Kraft, who, along with Belichick, was among five finalists for the Hall of Fame’s class of 2026.
Given the fragile state of the relationship between Belichick and Kraft, an induction ceremony with both had the potential to be awkward. And, a ceremony with one but not the other would have provided juicy conversation fodder.
Instead, neither will be honored when this year’s class is announced Thursday in San Francisco, just days before the Patriots play in their 12th Super Bowl, in nearby Levi’s Stadium, the 10th under Kraft’s ownership.
The remaining Hall of Fame finalists are three “senior” players: Ken Anderson, Roger Craig, and L.C. Greenwood.
The snubs of Kraft and Belichick, who as a tandem have the most Super Bowl wins in the NFL, has prompted significant criticism about the process to be admitted to the Hall, with many advocating for changes to the system. Under the current setup, the contributor, coach, and three senior players are pitted against one another.
In order to be inducted, a finalist needs to be approved by at least 80 percent of the 50-person selection committee. Each committee member can vote for three of the five finalists. If none receive the necessary 40 votes, then the person with the highest approval will be inducted.
In the wake of Belichick’s exclusion, several NFL players of past and present voiced their disagreement with the decision. Commissioner Roger Goodell even addressed the topic on Monday during his annual Super Bowl press conference, endorsing Belichick and Kraft as worthy inductees.
With Tom Brady at quarterback, Belichick and Kraft won six Super Bowl titles together.
“Bill Belichick’s record goes without saying,” Goodell said. “Same with the Patriots and Robert Kraft, who is also a candidate. They are spectacular. They have contributed so much to this game, and I believe they will be Hall of Famers.”
Mike Vrabel, who played eight seasons in New England before being hired as head coach in January 2025, called the snub “unfortunate.”
“In my experiences with Robert, he’s more than deserving,” Vrabel said Tuesday. “He’ll be in the Hall of Fame. I’m not in charge of deciding when that happens. I appreciate the relationship I’ve had with him, and our success as a player and now as a coach.
“He’s done everything that we’ve needed and provided the support we’ve needed as a staff and a team. I’m glad he’s back here [in the Super Bowl] and intended on helping us do things that will help the team win, and, ultimately, allow him to be recognized.”
Belichick and Kraft will return to the ballot for the class of 2027. If no changes are made to the voting process, they will once more be pitted against each other, as well as three senior players. The Hall of Fame saga will keep the spotlight on the storied, albeit now icy, relationship.
Since his exit from the Patriots in January 2024, Belichick has made headlines for his apparent disdain for Kraft and the organization. Belichick’s girlfriend, Jordon Hudson, has reinforced his stance through her behavior and comments online.
When Apple TV released a 10-part docuseries, “The Dynasty,” about the Patriots, Belichick didn’t hide his dissatisfaction with his portrayal. When Kraft said on the “Dudes on Dudes” podcast that hiring Belichick was “a big risk,” Belichick issued a statement clarifying that he was the one who took a risk accepting the job.
Belichick also has banned the Patriots’ scouting staff from visiting the University of North Carolina’s football facilities.
“It’s clear I’m not welcome at their facility,” Belichick said at the time. “So, they’re not welcome at ours.”
Although it’s clear their relationship has devolved, Kraft has publicly played nice. He said Belichick is deserving of a statue alongside the 12-foot sculpture of Brady. Just last week, Kraft released a statement advocating for Belichick to be a unanimous first-ballot Hall of Famer.
“Whatever perceptions may exist about any personal differences between Bill and me, I strongly believe Bill Belichick’s record and body of work speak for themselves,” the statement read, in part.
The 73-year-old Belichick, who was out and about with Hudson ahead of Super Bowl LIX, has not yet made an appearance at this year’s festivities.
Kraft, 84, is in San Francisco ahead of the Patriots’ record Super Bowl appearance. He has not yet spoken to the media, but he addressed the crowd of fans at the team’s send-off rally Sunday at Gillette Stadium.
“We hope to bring a seventh treasure back here to all of you,” he said.
Nicole Yang can be reached at nicole.yang@globe.com. Follow her on X @nicolecyang.